If you’re among the approximately 33 million people in the U.S. who suffer from bothersome overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, you’ve probably figured out different ways to manage them in your daily activities. But taking on something outside the norm—like, say, a trip—might seem A) daunting; B) stressful; C) nothing you can do about it; or D) all of the above.
If you answered D, it’s easy to see why.
“Patients with OAB symptoms experience a sudden urge to have to go to the bathroom, pee more than eight times a day, and even leak without realizing it,” says Alex Rogers, M.D., a urologist and Urovant Sciences spokesperson based in Boulder, Colorado. “As a result, many people with OAB may avoid long road trips and plane rides or experience anxiety when thinking about visiting new cities where they don’t know where they will find a bathroom.”
But the good news is, Dr. Rogers says: “There are ways to manage OAB symptoms!”
Keep reading to learn how to manage OAB symptoms when traveling, from people who’ve been there, done that—including actor and Urovant Sciences spokesperson for the Time To Go campaign, Holly Robinson Peete, who will provide tips she’s used while on the road.
Before Your Trip
Train your bladder. As soon as you are planning your trip, train your bladder to hold urine for longer periods of time. How? By doing Kegel exercises on a daily basis to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that start and stop the flow of urination—alternately squeezing and relaxing the muscles. “Done correctly and routinely, Kegels may help postpone the emptying of the bladder,” Dr. Rogers says.
How to do Kegel Exercises: With your bladder empty, tighten your pelvic floor muscles for five seconds and then relax them for five seconds. For beginners, it’s recommended that you start with five reps the first day and as you gain confidence, increase the time that you hold and release each contraction to 10 seconds.
Book an aisle seat. If traveling by bus, train, or plane, try booking a seat close to the bathroom, if not an aisle seat. “Part of the challenge of traveling with overactive bladder is not having access readily to a bathroom,” says Kristina Kehoe, a pelvic floor physical therapist in Columbus, Ohio. “Overactive bladder often causes frequent urination, and many women often plan their days around where a bathroom might be. Obviously, traveling to new areas or on small, crowded transport like a plane with only one bathroom can be very tricky.”
Plan your pitstops. “Anxiety about traveling with overactive bladder can limit a patient’s willingness to travel and engage in activities they’d like to pursue because of fear of not finding a bathroom,” says Marisa Clifton, M.D., a women’s health urologist in Baltimore. She works with her patients to “create a plan that makes it possible to travel more comfortably.” An essential part of that plan? Knowing where and when you’ll have the opportunity to go. Bathroom locator apps can help.
To help provide OAB education and resources to more patients, Urovant has launched the Time To Go campaign to encourage patients to talk to their doctor or healthcare provider about their symptoms and discuss potential treatment options. The campaign also provides information to help patients cope with OAB, including tips about traveling with OAB, which can be daunting as patients often worry about bladder leaks or mapping out the nearest restroom when traveling.
During The Trip
Practice pelvic floor relaxation. Deep breathing exercises can help with this. Here’s how to do it: Take in a slow, deep breath through your nose and hold it for a count of seven. Slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of eight. As you exhale, gently contract your abdominal muscles to completely empty the remaining air in your lungs. Repeat four times.
Stay hydrated. Dr. Rogers adds: “Make sure to drink fluids,” says Dr. Rogers. “People often drink fewer liquids to urinate less often, but drinking less can cause you to produce more concentrated, dark urine. Concentrated urine can cause more frequent urination.”
Incontinence Products. While not a fix, absorbent incontinence products—disposable or reusable incontinence underwear, pads, and liners—can reduce anxiety about bladder leaks or mapping out the nearest rest stop.
When You Reach Your Destination
Be aware of potential triggers. Avoid bladder irritants like citrus, caffeine, sugar, and spicy foods before and during a trip. “If I am traveling, I don’t cut back on my fluids and still drink lots of water, which is important to avoid dehydration,” says Laura Kolaczkowski, a patient advocate in Ohio. “But I limit my intake of caffeinated beverages which tend to stimulate my bladder.”
And don’t forget about the many hidden triggers. “In my experience, anxiety makes me want to pee. Cold vents make me want to pee. A long cue and the sound of water makes me want to pee,” says Lakshmi Devan, an influencer who discusses workplace and mental health issues. Take stock of these environmental triggers that might make your OAB symptoms worse. Then, be aware of your surroundings and situations so you can avoid them or lessen their impact should they come up.
Fill an easy-to-carry bag with must-haves. Pack a bag of essential items that includes extra underwear, pants, pads, and, oral medications if prescribed, says Robinson Peete. “Keep it small so you can carry it in your backpack or oversized purse. And don’t forget to include a plastic bag to place your soiled items, if necessary.”
Don’t let your OAB symptoms put a damper on your travel plans. “When lifestyle and behavioral therapies aren’t enough, there are some oral medications that may help,” says Dr. Rogers, who often prescribes GEMTESA® (vibegron) 75mg Tablets, a prescription medication for the treatment of overactive bladder in adults with symptoms of leakage episodes, urgency and frequency. FDA-approved to treat OAB, it works on the beta-3 receptor in the smooth detrusor muscle and “is designed to help relax the bladder muscle so it can hold more urine,” Dr. Rogers explains.
In clinical trials, people taking GEMTESA® (vibegron) 75mg Tablets, reported less urgency and frequency of urination, and fewer daily leakage episodes than those who were given a placebo (a sugar pill).
“When deciding to start treatment, it’s important for patients to talk to their doctors about potential side effects,” says Dr. Rogers. “Side effects may include headache, common cold symptoms, diarrhea, nausea, and urinary tract and upper respiratory tract infection.” See additional Important Safety Information about GEMTESA below.
Robinson Peete has found that GEMTESA has noticeably improved her symptoms: “With GEMTESA, I’m doing what I love to do with less worrying about being away from my home and the bathroom,” she says. “One thing I do less of now is immediately ask where the restroom is when I go out somewhere. Now my husband doesn’t have to ask me why I need the floor plan of every place we go!”
About GEMTESA
GEMTESA® (vibegron) is a prescription medicine for adults used to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:
- urge urinary incontinence: a strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting accidents
- urgency: the need to urinate right away
- frequency: urinating often
It is not known if GEMTESA is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not take GEMTESA if you are allergic to vibegron or any of the ingredients in GEMTESA.
Before you take GEMTESA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have liver problems; have kidney problems; have trouble emptying your bladder or you have a weak urine stream; take medicines that contain digoxin; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if GEMTESA will harm your unborn baby; talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant); are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if GEMTESA passes into your breast milk; talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take GEMTESA).
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
What are the possible side effects of GEMTESA?
GEMTESA may cause serious side effects, including the inability to empty your bladder (urinary retention).
GEMTESA may increase your chances of not being able to empty your bladder, especially if you have bladder outlet obstruction or take other medicines for treatment of overactive bladder. Tell your doctor right away if you are unable to empty your bladder.
The most common side effects of GEMTESA include headache, urinary tract infection, nasal congestion, sore throat or runny nose, diarrhea, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection. These are not all the possible side effects of GEMTESA. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please click here for full Product Information for GEMTESA.
