1 IN 5 WOMEN AFFECTED BY OVERACTIVE BLADDER

Overlapping symptoms

- SINDUJA JANE @Chennai

VERACTIVE bladder (OAB) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common urological issues affecting women, yet they remain on the fringes of public awareness.

Overactive bladder symptoms affect one in five women globally, while its prevalence is 28% among those above 60. In India, this burden remains difficult to quantify because many women either ignore symptoms or manage them in isolation, say doctors.

Urinary tract infections show a similar pattern, impacting nearly half of all women at some point in their lives. "About 20-30% go on to develop recurrent infections. These numbers only hint at the wider toll on productivity, emotional well-being, and the quiet erosion of self-confidence that often accompanies chronic discomfort," said Dr K Ramesh, senior consultant of Urology at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai.

In India, the interplay of multiple causes makes urinary disorders more complex and more likely to be missed. For OAB, common drivers include age-related changes in bladder muscle and nerve signals, hormonal shifts after menopause, obesity, diabetes, and pelvic floor damage from childbirth. Sedentary lifestyles, constipation, and chronic coughs also add pressure on the bladder. In some women, especially younger ones, bladder irritants like caffeine, artificial sweeteners, or acidic foods can worsen symptoms.