Overactive Bladder (OAB) In Colorado Springs, CO
Treatments That Go Beyond Medication
What Does Overactive Bladder Feel Like?
Overactive bladder is an umbrella term for a group of urinary symptoms driven by a bladder that is hyperactive and needs to be calmed down. OAB affects both men and women and can begin at any age, though it becomes more common after 45 in women and 65 in men. An estimated 33 million adults in the United States live with OAB, though the actual number is likely higher because many people feel too embarrassed to seek help.
You may be experiencing overactive bladder if you recognize these patterns in your daily life:
Urinary frequency. You go to the bathroom far more often than the people around you. Some patients say this pattern has been present since childhood, and that they were bed-wetters as children.
Urinary urgency. You feel a sudden, intense need to urinate and have to rush immediately. Many OAB patients say they know the location of every bathroom in every store they visit.
Urge incontinence. You feel the urge, rush toward the bathroom, and leak before you arrive. Leakage may also happen with specific triggers: pulling into your driveway, stepping into the bathroom, hearing running water, or unlocking your front door.
Nocturia. You wake up multiple times during the night to urinate, disrupting your sleep and leaving you tired during the day.
None of these symptoms are something you should simply accept. Each has an identifiable cause, and each can be treated.
What Causes Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder develops when the bladder muscle contracts at the wrong time, sending you rushing to the bathroom even when the bladder is not full. In some patients, the exact cause is unknown. In others, identifiable factors contribute to the problem. Understanding what may be driving your OAB helps Dr. Fronczak build the most effective treatment plan.
Known causes and contributing factors include: weakened pelvic floor muscles, bladder outlet obstruction (such as an enlarged prostate in men or urethral scarring), diabetes, hormonal changes during menopause, kidney disease, certain medications including diuretics, excess caffeine or alcohol intake, artificial sweeteners and spicy foods, nerve damage, and neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease.
Abnormal signaling from the sacral nerves at the base of the spine can also cause the bladder muscle to contract even when the bladder is not full. This nerve-bladder miscommunication is why several advanced OAB treatments target the nervous system directly.
How Modern Urology Evaluates Overactive Bladder
A thorough evaluation is essential before starting any treatment. Dr. Fronczak uses targeted diagnostic tools to understand what is happening in your bladder and rule out other conditions that can mimic OAB, such as bladder infections, bladder stones, or even cancer.
Your initial evaluation will include a detailed medical history focused on your specific symptom patterns, urine testing to check for infection or blood, and a bladder ultrasound to see how much urine remains after voiding. Dr. Fronczak may also ask you to keep a voiding diary for several days before your visit to track how often you urinate, how much you void, what you eat and drink, and when leakage occurs.
In some cases, a cystoscopy (a direct look inside the bladder with a small camera) or urodynamic testing (measuring how well the bladder fills, stores, and releases urine) may be needed to complete the picture. These evaluations happen in the office and help ensure that the treatment plan addresses the actual cause of your symptoms.
Behavioral Changes and Lifestyle Adjustments
Treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) in Colorado Springs, CO begins with conservative approaches that many patients can start immediately. These behavioral strategies often produce meaningful improvement, especially when combined with other therapies.
Fluid and diet modifications. Reducing caffeine from coffee, tea, and soda, limiting alcohol, avoiding artificial sweeteners and dyes, and stopping fluid intake 2-3 hours before bedtime can noticeably reduce urgency and frequency.
Timed voiding and bladder retraining. Urinating on a set schedule, rather than waiting for the urge, helps retrain the bladder to hold urine longer. Over time, the intervals between bathroom visits gradually increase.
Pelvic floor exercises. Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and urethra. Stronger pelvic floor muscles help you resist the urge and prevent involuntary contractions. Modern Urology works with skilled pelvic floor physical therapists for patients who need guided rehabilitation.
Bowel regularity. Chronic constipation creates pressure on the bladder and can worsen OAB symptoms. Fiber and stool softeners to maintain regular, soft bowel movements can make a noticeable difference.
OAB Medications: What to Know Before You Start
Several prescription medications are available for overactive bladder. These medications work by relaxing the bladder muscle or reducing the nerve signals that trigger unwanted contractions. The providers at Modern Urology discuss each medication option in detail so you can make an informed decision about whether to try medication and which one may be the best fit.
Medications can be effective for many patients, but they also carry potential side effects including dry mouth, constipation, and cognitive effects, particularly in older adults. Some patients find adequate relief with medication alone. Others experience partial improvement or side effects that make long-term use difficult. When medications are not enough or not well tolerated, the next step is a group of advanced treatments called third-line interventions.
Bladder Botox is one of the most successful overactive bladder treatments available today. It works for both men and women by relaxing the bladder muscles that squeeze too frequently, calming the hyperactivity that causes urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence. Modern Urology performs Bladder Botox in the office for patients in the Colorado Springs area.
During the procedure, the bladder is temporarily numbed with local lidocaine. Patients can also choose nitrous oxide for additional relaxation. Dr. Fronczak places a small scope with a camera into the bladder and injects Botox into the bladder wall using a tiny needle. The procedure is quick, and most patients tolerate it well.
Botox typically takes about two weeks to reach full effect. Once it begins working, patients experience significant reduction in urgency, frequency, and leakage. The effect generally lasts six months, though some patients experience relief for up to a year. When the Botox begins to wear off, the treatment is simply repeated.
Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is an overactive bladder treatment for men and women that works through a principle similar to acupuncture. It carries virtually no risk and is performed entirely in the office. For patients who prefer a gentle, non-surgical approach, PTNS is an excellent option.
During treatment, a tiny acupuncture-style needle is placed near the inner ankle bone, close to the posterior tibial nerve. The needle is then connected to a low-level electrical current for 30 minutes. The stimulation should not be painful. You may feel a light buzzing or tingling in your toes, and your toes may curl slightly.
When the posterior tibial nerve is stimulated, it sends calming signals to one of the bladder control centers in the spinal cord. This quiets the overactive bladder so it is not so hyperactive. It typically takes 8 to 9 treatments before patients notice improved symptoms, and success is measured by a 50% or greater reduction in OAB symptoms.
The initial treatment cycle consists of 12 weekly office visits. After that, maintenance treatments are spaced every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the bladder calm long term.
Sacral neuromodulation is one of the best long-term overactive bladder treatments available for men and women. These devices have been implanted for OAB for the past 25 years and continue to improve with advanced technology. For patients who want lasting relief without repeated office visits or injections, sacral neuromodulation is a proven solution.
The system includes a small battery placed in the upper buttock below the belt line, connected to an electrical lead that stimulates a sacral nerve controlling bladder activity. The battery sends gentle electrical impulses to the nerve, which calms the bladder down. The exact mechanism is still being studied, but the clinical results are well established.
For patients who also experience stool leakage, sacral neuromodulation can treat bowel incontinence simultaneously. Both the battery and the lead are MRI compatible. The battery lasts 15 years or more.
Before committing to the full implant, a simple test is performed first. A basic test lead is placed, most often in the office, and stays in place for one week so you can evaluate whether the stimulation improves your symptoms. Removing the test lead is as easy as removing a bandage. If the test works, the full implant is placed in the operating room in less than an hour.
E-coin is a recently FDA-approved overactive bladder intervention that represents the newest advancement in nerve stimulation for OAB. It is available at Modern Urology for patients in the Colorado Springs area and beyond.
The E-coin device is a small, coin-sized battery that is implanted near the lower inner ankle to stimulate the posterior tibial nerve, the same nerve targeted by PTNS. The key difference is that E-coin eliminates the need for a needle and eliminates the need for weekly or monthly office visits. Once implanted, the device delivers ongoing stimulation automatically, calming the bladder without requiring repeated in-office treatments.
E-coin is a strong option for patients who have responded well to PTNS but find the regular office visit schedule difficult to maintain. Dr. Fronczak can help you determine whether E-coin, PTNS, sacral neuromodulation, or Botox is the best path for your specific situation.
Overactive Bladder (OAB) in Colorado Springs, CO
Modern Urology serves men and women with overactive bladder from Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Palmer Lake, Castle Rock, Woodland Park, Black Forest, Falcon, and communities throughout the Pikes Peak region. Our clinic in Frederick, CO is directly off I-25, making it a straightforward drive from the Colorado Springs area.
Patients choose Modern Urology for OAB treatment because Dr. Fronczak offers the full spectrum of options in one practice, from behavioral therapy through the most advanced interventions including Bladder Botox, PTNS, sacral neuromodulation, and E-coin. Rather than being limited to one or two treatments, you have access to every evidence-based option and a board certified urologist who helps you navigate the choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is overactive bladder and how is it different from a normal urge to urinate?
Overactive bladder is a condition where the bladder muscle contracts involuntarily, creating sudden and intense urges to urinate even when the bladder is not full. A normal urge builds gradually and can be comfortably delayed. With OAB, the urge comes on suddenly and may be impossible to control, sometimes leading to leakage. OAB also causes urinary frequency (going far more often than normal) and nocturia (waking multiple times at night). At Modern Urology, Dr. Fronczak evaluates the specific pattern of your symptoms to determine whether OAB or another condition is responsible.
Does overactive bladder affect both men and women?
Yes. Overactive bladder affects both men and women at any age. It is more common in women starting around age 45 and in men after age 65. In men, OAB sometimes coexists with an enlarged prostate, which can complicate the picture. In women, hormonal changes during menopause can contribute. Dr. Fronczak evaluates both the bladder and any contributing factors to build the right treatment plan regardless of gender.
What happens if OAB medications do not work?
When medications are not effective or cause unwanted side effects, Modern Urology offers four advanced treatments: Bladder Botox injections that relax the bladder muscle, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) that calms the bladder through gentle nerve stimulation near the ankle, sacral neuromodulation that uses an implanted device for long-term control, and E-coin, a new FDA-approved implant that provides ongoing tibial nerve stimulation without repeated office visits.
Is Bladder Botox painful?
Most patients tolerate Bladder Botox well. The bladder is numbed with local lidocaine before the injection, and nitrous oxide is available for additional relaxation. The injection itself uses a very tiny needle. The procedure is performed in the office and takes only a short time. Dr. Fronczak ensures you are comfortable throughout the entire process.
How long does sacral neuromodulation last?
The battery in a sacral neuromodulation device lasts 15 years or more. Both the battery and the lead are MRI compatible. Before the full device is implanted, a one-week test with a basic lead is performed to confirm that the treatment works for your specific OAB symptoms. The full implant procedure takes less than an hour in the operating room.
What is the difference between PTNS and E-coin?
Both PTNS and E-coin target the same nerve, the posterior tibial nerve near the ankle, to calm overactive bladder signals. PTNS is a series of in-office treatments using a small needle and electrical stimulation for 30 minutes per session. E-coin is an implanted device that delivers ongoing stimulation without office visits. E-coin is a strong choice for patients who respond well to PTNS but find the regular appointment schedule difficult to maintain.