Nationwide survey reveals that overactive bladder symptoms compromise womens' lives

CHICAGO Recent results from a nationwide survey of women between the ages of 40 and 65 show that the symptoms of overactive bladder are compromising their sense of normalcy and making their complicated lives even more difficult to manage.

The survey, conducted for The National Association For Continence by Kelton Research and sponsored by Medtronic, compared women ages 40 to 65 who have experienced symptoms of OAB, which affect as many as 33 million Americans, to women in the same age group overall.

Both groups of women say that physical health is more important than emotional health when it comes to living a normal life. In fact, nearly 9-in-10 women in each group say that being healthy is a prerequisite to achieving a sense of balance in life – far more than those who report needing adequate levels of money or time to achieve balance. Unfortunately, just over half of women surveyed describe their health as normal, with OAB sufferers reporting feeling physically normal less often than women in this age group overall – 56% of the time among OAB sufferers vs. 71% among women in general.

Women with OAB also report lower levels of normalcy in other aspects of their lives, including their relationships with friends and family, emotional state, careers and social lives than reported by women overall. In fact, despite a trying economy, more than one in four (26%) women with OAB are more concerned about managing their OAB symptoms than saving for retirement.

An overwhelming majority (78%) of women with OAB who have sought treatment did so because they were frustrated with living with the symptoms – far fewer (38%) were motivated by physical discomfort. Unfortunately, almost half (49%) of women with OAB don’t think they’ll ever be able to completely control their symptoms.

Approximately 88% of women who have treated their OAB have turned to medication. But 25% are dissatisfied with how they are managing their condition.

“This data demonstrates that a considerable number of middle-aged women are frustrated with their OAB treatment,” stated Nancy Muller, executive director of NAFC. “There needs to be more public education so people are made aware of their options for OAB treatment beyond just medications. Clearly, there’s room for more engagement for discussion by primary care providers with their patients.”