What That “Ouch” Really Means

By Lisa D. Ellis

Do you love going to the beach but feel the need to sit right by the bathroom, “just in case? If so, and if you sometimes find it hard to relax and enjoy the calmness of the ocean waves because you’re distracted by sudden little twinges or bladder pains, bladder spasms may be to blame. These are vibrations that run through your bladder and often bring on a strong urge to relieve yourself right away.

While bladder spasms can be particularly uncomfortable, or even painful at times, the experts say they are a common cause of bladder leakage, especially in women as they age. While you may be relieved to know that the feeling is universal, you may also wonder why it occurs and what you can do to make it go away.

The Facts about Bladder Spasms

A bladder spasm is really a contraction of the bladder muscle that helps to empty the bladder when you go to the bathroom. But sometimes the contraction also happens on its own when you least expect it, and it can be an uncomfortable sensation accompanied by a strong need to use the bathroom. In some cases, it can hurt a great deal.

In addition to age being a factor in causing unexpected spasms, sometimes bladder spasms can occur as the result of certain things you eat or drink, and even as the result of a bladder infection or other health issue.

What You Can Do

The good news is that while bladder spasms may be uncomfortable, they usually aren’t serious. And while you may not be able to cure them completely, there are things you can do to help prevent or at least control them.

First, you will want to see your doctor and make sure that you don’t have a bladder infection to blame for this symptom. If so, treating the infection will often clear up the related pain or vibration and allow you to return to your daily activities interrupted.

But if there is no infection to blame and you have a clean bill of health, then your doctor may recommend trying one or more of the strategies listed below:

Retrain your bladder. Making a conscious effort to relieve yourself at regular intervals can help you regain control of your bladder and minimize accidents. Your doctor can help you set up a bathroom schedule to go more frequently (such as every 60 minutes) in the beginning, then stretching out the time in between bathroom trips as you progress and your bladder responds well.

Perform pelvic floor exercises. Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles by doing special exercises can be an important strategy to help your bladder remain strong.

Try electric stimulation. This is performed using a simple device that sends a weak current to your bladder and nerves, helping to relax this area. This can be an extremely effective way to help keep bladder spasms at bay.

Take medication. Sometimes you may need a little extra help to relax your bladder. When that’s the case, there are medications that can minimize spasms and any resulting leakage. Just understand that these often come with side effects, so be sure to talk with your doctor about what to expect.

Explore Other Options

In addition to these strategies, you may also want to try incorporating some other simple, but often effective, changes into your lifestyle. These can include anything from paying attention to what (and when) you eat and drink to trying acupuncture and exploring other holistic approaches that can help you regain control. With the right steps in place, you can forget about your bladder spasms and focus on enjoying the end of the summer without interruption.