Overactive bladder and night-time urination: patient articles

10 short reads from our team on overactive bladder and night-time urination. For symptoms, testing and treatment in one place, see our overactive bladder page.

• What is InterStim (sacral nerve stimulation)?InterStim is sacral nerve stimulation. A small device near the tailbone sends gentle signals to the nerves that control the bladder and bowel.
• Bladder pills not enough? Questions to ask about next stepsAsk these questions. Have we ruled out other causes, like infection or not emptying?
• Botox vs InterStim vs Altaviva: how to chooseAll three treat overactive bladder when pills aren't enough. Bladder Botox takes two to three minutes as a procedure in our surgery centers.
• Can sleep apnea make you pee at night?Yes. Sleep apnea strains the heart, which releases a hormone that makes the kidneys produce more urine.
• InterStim for OAB: will I still need medications?Many people can reduce or stop their bladder medicines, but some still use them. It depends on how well the device controls your symptoms.
• Can diabetes cause frequent urination at night?Yes. High blood sugar pulls extra water into the urine.
• What treatments help nocturia?First, we find the cause, since nighttime urination can come from the bladder, prostate, sleep apnea, or your body making too much urine at night.…
• InterStim for Urinary Retention: who is a candidate?InterStim may help people who can't fully empty their bladder because the nerve signals aren't working right, not because of a blockage. It's often…
• InterStim trial: how it worksA short procedure places a thin wire near the nerves above the tailbone, connected to a small external device. You keep track of your bladder habits…
• InterStim for OAB: is it MRI-compatible?Newer InterStim systems allow full-body MRI under specific conditions. Older systems may have limits.

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