The bladder is a muscle, and in order to hold urine, the muscles need to be relaxed. In individuals with no bladder problems, the bladder remains relaxed until urination, when it contracts. When the bladder contracts randomly and not only during urination, this is a condition known as bladder spasms. Urine can leak during these muscle spasms, and according to University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, the most common cause of incontinence is bladder spasms. Although the exact cause of bladder spasms are not known, treatments are available for this condition.
Electrical Stimulation
The UT Southwestern Medical Center says that bladder spasms may be a result of overactivity of the nerves that act on the bladder. Electrical stimulation is a treatment that can help soften the effects of these nerves and help relax the bladder. A tampon-shaped device is inserted into the vagina or rectum, and the device is controlled by a computer that sends out painless currents. Treatments can be one or more times a week, for weeks or months, says UT Southwestern.
Medications
Medications are another treatment option for bladder spasms, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. These drugs help to relax the bladder muscles and include tolterodine, brand name Detrol; oxybutynin chloride, Ditropan; and hyoscyamine, Levsin. These medications are also known as anticholinergics and have side effects such as dry mouth, constipation and flushing. Newer medications that were approved in 2004 for bladder spasms include solifenacin succinate, brand name VESIcare; darifenacin, Enablex; and trospium chloride, Sanctura).
Bladder Training
Bladder training involves urinating on a time schedule instead of relying on urinary urges. UT Southwestern describes it as a schedule that allows small intervals between urinations that are slowly lengthened until you reach an interval producing the fewest urinary accidents. You'll keep a diary that records your voiding; this will help your physician change and adjust your retraining schedule. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse adds that Kegel exercises that help strengthen pelvic floor muscles may be added to a bladder training program.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Pelvic floor muscles help to support the bladder and other organs and are located from the pubic bone to the lower back, says UT Southwestern. By exercising these muscles, bladder leakage during spasms may be better controlled by squeezing them when you have the urge to urinate. Biofeedback can help a woman focus in on her pelvic muscles and aid her in exercising them. Biofeedback involves placing a tampon-like sensor in the vagina, as well as other sensors on various pelvic floor muscles. Sensors are also placed on the abdomen to help differentiate the feeling of squeezing the abdominal muscles versus the pelvic floor muscles. A computer that is connected to the sensors identifies which muscles are being used, teaching an individual how to isolate the pelvic floor muscles when they are squeezed.
