Valli hates going out. Even going to a movie is an ordeal because she knows that she will have to use the bathroom at least twice and she hates using the bathrooms at movie theatres. She even restricts her shopping to one hour so that she does not have to go looking for a toilet.

Chitra never feels rested because she has to get up at least two or three times at night. She catches herself yawning at meetings in the office. She is always terrified that a meeting will go past two hours and that she would have to excuse herself to go to the bathroom. Working in a mainly male dominated office, this embarrasses her no end.

It is a well-known fact that about half of all women have dealt with embarrassing bladder problems at least once in their life. Not being able to "hold it" and experiencing sudden urine leaks is something that women face commonly. But when this problem seems to dominate and control one’s life as it does for Valli and Chitra, help has to be sought. They have an ‘overactive bladder’ and will respond to treatment.

Do you have an overactive bladder?

If you have to go to the bathroom eight or more times in the day or have to get up more than two times at night, then you have an overactive bladder. Of course, since diabetes is common in Indians and may cause the same symptoms, it is also better to rule out high sugars before starting on treatment for an overactive bladder.

A urinary infection may also cause an overactive bladder but this is usually a short-term problem and will ease off once the infection is treated.

Women sometimes compensate for an overactive bladder without realising that they have a problem. If you cannot go anywhere for more than two hours because you are afraid you may not find a bathroom, if travelling for more than two hours worries you because you are afraid you cannot hold it for longer, if you wear clothes which may not show wetness or wear a pad in case of sudden leaks, then you need to seek medical attention. Many women are so embarrassed and ashamed about the problem that they are reluctant to seek help. Remember, you are only one among millions of women across the world that need medical attention for this problem.