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© The Canadian Journal of Urology™; 23(Supplement 1); February 2016
Gender differences in overactive bladder
Renu S. Eapen, MD, Sidney B. Radomski, MD
Division of Urology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
EAPEN RS, RADOMSKI SB. Gender differences in
overactive bladder.
Can J Urol
2016;23(Suppl 1):2-9.
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition in both
women and men. Although prevalence’s are similar in
both genders, sex specific differences do exist in relation to
individual OAB symptoms as well as degree of bother and
quality of life. The added effect of prostatic enlargement
in men leads to slightly different evaluation and treatment
regimens in both genders. This review will examine the
gender differences in OAB related to epidemiology, OAB
evaluation, investigation and treatment. This information
will assist the primary care physician in assessing and
initiating treatment in patients with OAB. It will further
the understanding of the spectrum of treatments available
for OAB and assist in determining the appropriateness
and timing of referral of such patients to a urologist.
Key Words:
OAB, overactive bladder, BPH, benign
prostatic hyperplasia
impact on overall quality of life, sexual function, sleep
and mental health in both genders. According to the
International Continence Society (ICS) definition,
OAB consists of urinary urgency with or without urge
incontinence (UI), often accompanied by frequency
and nocturia. The urodynamic characteristic of OAB
is detrusor overactivity (DO). Many publications
have studied the prevalence of OAB in developed
2
Introduction
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent condition
in both men and women. It can have a significant
Address correspondence toDr. Sidney B. Radomski, Division
of Urology, Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst Street,
MP8-304, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8 Canada