Contemporary therapy for the overactive bladder

Abstract

Key content: • Overactive bladder syndrome is a common symptom complex. • The symptoms have a significant impact on health-related quality of life. • Lifestyle and behavioural retraining must be addressed initially in the treatment plan. • Pharmacotherapy with anticholinergic agents is effective but has a number of adverse effects, which can limit compliance. • Surgery is effective in selected patients. Learning objectives: • To understand the indications, efficacy and adverse effects of the various management options of overactive bladder syndrome. • To understand and be able to tailor treatment to the individual needs of each woman. Ethical issues: • Only therapies with evidence-based safety and efficacy should be used in the management of overactive bladder syndrome.