Over 350,000 people in Ireland are affected by overactive bladder (OAB), however many of these will not seek help from their GP because they are too embarrassed, a new survey has revealed.

According to the findings, one-third of people would not visit their GP with this problem due to embarrassment, while over half of people do not even understand what OAB is, despite the fact that it is more common than diabetes.

OAB is a medical problem that affects the way the bladder behaves. With OAB, the bladder works overtime, contracting more often than it should and at inappropriate times. The bladder muscles seem to give wrong messages to the brain causing the bladder to feel fuller than it actually is. The bladder contracts too early when the bladder is not very full. This involuntary contraction creates the urgent need to urinate. In effect, people with OAB have much less control over when their bladder contracts to pass urine.

Symptoms include the urgent need to pass urine, frequently going to the toilet (more than eight times a day or more than twice a night) and accidental leakage of urine because they have not made it to the toilet on time.

The survey of more than 500 people also revealed that many people do not know what causes OAB, with 34% believing it is a normal part of ageing for women and 54% thinking it is due to an enlarged prostate in men.

However, according to consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Cork University Maternity Hospital, Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan, while the incidence of OAB can increase with age, ‘it can affect young and old alike' and is not something ‘that simply has to be tolerated'.

"While OAB problems become more common with age, it is more common among young people than one would imagine. Often it is accepted as a normal part of ageing, but this should not be the case. It is important to understand this is not something that simply has to be tolerated. Once help is sought, and with the proper support, control of the bladder can be regained and the problem sorted," Dr O'Sullivan insisted.

Common causes include urinary tract infections, pregnancy or recent delivery, side-effects from certain medications, neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, and nerve damage caused by surgery, injury or diseases such as diabetes.

However what ever the cause, Dr O'Sullivan acknowledged that the problem ‘tends to creep up on people and is distressing and embarrassing'.

"It can have a very negative impact on a sufferer's quality of life. It leads to low self-esteem and social isolation. Sufferers tend to seek help very late, as most are not aware how common and treatable the condition is," she noted.

The survey found that almost two in three people are unaware that there are affective treatments for OAB and according to Dr O'Sullivan, ‘a worrying number of people' do not seek help for this problem.

"Anyone with symptoms such as a sudden urge to urinate, urinating eight or more times in 24 hours or waking up at night more than once to urinate should speak to their GP to seek treatment. People experiencing this need to know that it's OK to admit it, and they don't need to feel embarrassed to talk to their GP," Dr O'Sullivan said.

The research was carried out on behalf of Astellas to coincide with the launch of a new website, www.oab.ie, for people affected by this problem.

Dr O'Sullivan pointed out that many people prefer to turn to the internet for help with medical issues, particularly if they are embarrassed.

"That is why starting the conversation and launching this new website is so important. Although people might feel embarrassed discussing such a private matter with a health professional, they will never regret it. It is always worthwhile taking that step and seeking help, particularly if the symptoms disrupt daily activities," she added.

The website, which was developed by MedMedia Campaign, can be viewed here