Personalized Overactive Bladder Solutions in Denver
Living with an overactive bladder means making calculations most people never think about. You scope out restrooms before you commit to a seat at a restaurant. You decline the road trip or the long meeting because the uncertainty feels unmanageable. Over time, the condition quietly narrows the life you are willing to live.
Many adults living with OAB wait years before seeking specialized care. Some assume it is a normal part of aging. Others feel too embarrassed to bring it up. Many have mentioned it to a general physician and tried a medication that helped only partially or not at all. If any of that sounds familiar, you are not alone, and there are treatment options that most general practices do not offer.
Incontinence Centers of America treats overactive bladder through physician-led care at locations in Englewood, Lone Tree, and Colorado Springs, serving patients across the Denver metro area and southern Colorado. This condition is what our team focuses on every day.
What is an Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder is a medical condition, not an inevitable part of getting older. It causes a sudden, strong urge to urinate that is difficult to control, and for some people that urge leads to accidental leaks, known as urge incontinence. OAB happens when the nerve signals between the brain and the bladder do not work the way they should, causing the bladder muscle to contract even when the bladder is not full.
Some patients with OAB experience leaks regularly. Others feel urgency without leakage. Both are overactive bladder, and both deserve care. OAB symptoms often persist without treatment and an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward finding relief.
What causes an Overactive Bladder?
It’s difficult to identify the exact cause of Overactive Bladder (OAB) since it can be caused by a combination of various factors. But there are several things that may contribute to the development of OAB, including:
- Age-Related Changes: As people age, the bladder’s ability to store urine and signal when it is full may change, which can lead to sudden urgency and leaks.
- Neurological Disorders: Conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis can wreak havoc on the nerve signals that control how the bladder works, leading to symptoms of OAB.
- Bladder Infections or Inflammation: Infections such as a urinary tract infection or chronic inflammation of the bladder can irritate the lining of the bladder, causing a sudden, urgent need to urinate.
- Medications and Medical Conditions: Certain medications, especially diuretics and those that affect bladder function, can contribute to OAB symptoms. Additionally, underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or interstitial cystitis can make bladder issues worsen.
Understanding these contributing factors is crucial for accurately diagnosing and effectively managing overactive bladder. (719) 427-4564
What Are the Symptoms of Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder can show up in different ways, including:
- A sudden, urgent need to urinate
- An urge that is difficult to delay
- Involuntary leakage of urine (urge incontinence)
Incontinence Centers of America recommends speaking with a doctor as soon as you notice a change in your bladder control. OAB symptoms can persist without treatment, and getting care sooner means less time spent managing symptoms.
What Treatment Options Are Available For Overactive Bladder
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- 93% of patients achieved clinically significant improvements after 2 years
- 94% of patients were satisfied with the Axonics® therapy
- Less than 2% felt any discomfort from the implant
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- Pezzella A, McCrery R, Lane F, et al. Two-year outcomes of the ARTISAN-SNM study for the treatment of urinary urgency incontinence using the Axonics rechargeable sacral neuromodulation system. Neurourol Urodyn. 2021;40(2):714-721. doi:10.1002/nau.24615
- Blok, B, et al. Neurourol Urodyn. 2020
Major Insurance Accepted for OAB Treatment
One of the most common reasons patients put off an evaluation is uncertainty about insurance. Incontinence Centers of America accepts major insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Medicare, and United Healthcare. Coverage varies by plan, and our team can help verify your benefits before your first appointment. Insurance questions should not stand in the way of finding out whether treatment is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overactive Bladder
What is the difference between overactive bladder and urge incontinence?
Overactive bladder and urge incontinence are related but not the same. Overactive bladder is the underlying condition, defined by a sudden, difficult-to-control urge to urinate. Urge incontinence happens when that urge is strong enough that urine leaks before you can reach a restroom. Some people with OAB experience urge incontinence regularly, while others feel urgency without leakage. Incontinence Centers of America evaluates both, because the condition behind them is the same.
How do I know if I am a candidate for Axonics Therapy for overactive bladder?
Good candidates for Axonics Therapy are often patients with significant OAB symptoms who have not found enough relief from lifestyle changes or medication. Incontinence Centers of America uses a candidacy evaluation to review each patient’s history and symptoms before recommending Axonics Therapy. A simple first step is the four-question “Bladder Control Procedure: Are You a Candidate?” quiz on the Incontinence Centers of America homepage. It takes just a few minutes, and the evaluation that follows is low-pressure and focused on finding the right path for you.
Does insurance cover overactive bladder treatment, including Axonics Therapy?
Incontinence Centers of America accepts major insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Medicare, and United Healthcare. Coverage for Axonics Therapy varies by plan and depends on your diagnosis, so our team can help verify your benefits before your first appointment. Insurance questions should not keep you from finding out whether treatment is right for you.
What should I expect at my first appointment for overactive bladder in Denver?
Your first appointment at Incontinence Centers of America begins with a conversation about your symptoms, your medical history, and any treatments you have already tried. The team will ask how urgency affects your daily life and whether you have experienced any leakage.
Depending on what the evaluation shows, additional tests of bladder function may be recommended to confirm your diagnosis. The team takes time to understand your situation, because OAB is a sensitive condition that many patients have been managing quietly for a long time.
How long does it take to see results from Axonics Therapy?
Results vary from person to person. Axonics Therapy includes a trial phase before the long-term device is placed, so patients can see how they respond before moving forward. In a 2021 study published in Neurourol Urodyn, 93% of patients achieved clinically significant improvements after two years. Your care team will walk you through what to expect at each step.
Are there side effects of Axonics Therapy?
Axonics Therapy is an FDA-cleared sacral neuromodulation device. As with any implanted device, side effects are possible and individual experiences vary. In clinical study results, fewer than 2% of patients reported discomfort from the implant. Your care team will discuss potential risks and side effects during your candidacy evaluation so you can make an informed decision.
Why see a dedicated overactive bladder practice instead of a general physician?
General physicians can identify OAB and start conservative treatment, but they typically do not offer advanced options like sacral neuromodulation. Incontinence Centers of America focuses exclusively on overactive bladder and bowel incontinence, treated with neurostimulation. Our team treats these conditions every day, and qualifying patients have direct access to Axonics Therapy. For patients who have tried general treatment approaches without enough relief, a specialized evaluation in the Denver metro area is a natural next step.
