A very common Problem

FemPulse

  • 17% of women suffer from overactive bladder (OAB)
  • There are around 300 million patients worldwide
  • In Austria, there are around 800,000 people living with OAB

The National Association for Continence (NAFC) estimates that about 17% of women over the age of 18 suffer from overactive bladder. NAFC also emphasizes that OAB is about twice as common in women as in men. The frequency and severity of OAB symptoms increase with age.

In many cases, the condition is “passively” accepted by the women it affects and is concealed out of shame. Therapy often is not enough. With FemPulse, now, for the first time ever, we have found a treatment to effectively alleviate symptoms, allowing patients to return to a more active and empowered life.

Overactive bladder

Pathology & symptoms

Patients with overactive bladder (OAB) constantly feel the urge to go to the toilet, even if there is little urine in the bladder to pass. The urge to urinate usually comes on suddenly, making it impossible to delay urination and thus can also lead to urine leakage. When the bladder has reached a certain level of fullness, receptors send a signal to the brain, communicating the urge to urinate. This signal continues to be sent until the receptors give in, thus emptying the bladder. This process is impaired in people with overactive bladder. The bladder muscles activate much sooner in people who have an overactive bladder, so they often feel the need to urinate and go to the toilet (up to eight times a day). This can be particularly stressful during the night.

In Austria, there are around 800,000 people living with OAB. The majority of them are women, as hormonal changes during menopause and a shorter urethra make them more susceptible.

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), a different condition from OAB, is the involuntary loss of urine caused by preconditions such as a narrowing of the urethra, bladder stones, or nerve disorders. Treatment of SUI is sometimes possible by eliminating the physical cause.

However, in the vast majority of incontinence cases involving an uncontrollable urge to urinate, there is no identifiable physical cause. In this case, experts do not speak of stress urinary incontinence, but of a “wet” overactive bladder.

Symptoms of overactive bladder can be triggered by changes in the bladder mucosa and urethra, as well as by certain gynecological conditions. This is why women dealing with these symptoms should consult their urologist and gynecologist.

The following symptoms can occur:

  • Increased urge to urinate
  • Frequent visits to the toilet with low micturition
  • Unwanted leakage (urge incontinence)
  • Nocturia
  • Some people may find the constant irritation painful

The symptoms of OAB may cause stress and affect their quality of life of the patient. The innovative technology behind FemPulse promises effective relief.