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What Are Bladder Spasms?
Bladder spasms are uncomfortable, unpredictable, and very annoying. If you’ve ever experienced that sudden, intense cramping feeling in your lower abdomen, you’re not alone.
They are more common than you might think, especially for people managing incontinence.
They can make you feel like you urgently need to wee, even if you’ve just been. How annoying! In this blog, we’ll break down what bladder spasms actually are, why they happen, how long they stick around, and what you can do to help stop them.
If you’re navigating life with bladder issues or supporting someone who is, keep reading. This one’s for you.
So, what are bladder spasms?
Bladder spasms, also known as detrusor overactivity, are involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle. Basically, your bladder decides it’s time to go, with or without your input.
The result? Sudden urgency, potential leakage, and discomfort that can range from a dull ache to a sharp, cramping pain.
They’re not a condition in themselves, but a symptom and an indication of something else going on. Some people experience them every once in a while, others on a daily basis.
They can happen to people of any age, but they’re usually most common in older adults and those who already experience urinary incontinence.
Who is most likely to experience bladder spasms?
Bladder spasms can happen to anyone, but some groups are more likely to experience them due to age, health conditions, or recent medical procedures. We’ll have a look at those most at risk in the following section and see why.
Understanding who is more likely to experience bladder spasms can help with early recognition, management, and appropriate treatment.
- Older adults: Muscle tone and nerve function naturally decline with age, increasing the risk. For women, notable differences can become apparent around menopause, which usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. The drop in estrogen levels can contribute to bladder spasms and urinary urgency. For men, bladder issues usually become more noticeable over the age of 60, which could be linked to an enlarged prostate.
- People with urinary incontinence: Spasms are often linked to incontinence symptoms like urgency or leakage, usually because the detrusor bladder muscle becomes overactive and contracts suddenly, even when the bladder isn’t full.
- Women after childbirth: Pelvic floor changes and healing tissues can make the bladder more sensitive. This is because during childbirth, the muscles are stretched and weakened, which can also impact the nerves that control the bladder. During the healing process, inflammation, swelling, and scar tissue can make the bladder more sensitive and reactive.
- People with neurological conditions: MS, Parkinson’s, and spinal injuries disrupt bladder nerve signals that control the bladder, which can result in the bladder contracting at any time, leading to spasms, the need to go for a wee, and leakage.
- Post-surgical patients: Especially those recovering from pelvic, bladder, or prostate procedures. This is because surgery can irritate or temporarily damage the nerves and tissue that help to control bladder function.
What causes bladder spasms?
In the UK, approximately 1 in 6 women experience overactive bladder symptoms. It’s a common issue that many people worldwide fight with.
These spasms can feel like sudden cramping or pressure and are often linked to a range of underlying issues, from infections to nerve problems.
Understanding the root cause is important in helping you manage the symptoms in the best way possible. Here are some of the most common causes of bladder spasms.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): One of the most common causes. In 2023, there were 1.8 million admissions involving UTI in England, most of which were over the age of 65. UTIs irritate the lining of your bladder, making it hypersensitive and more prone to spasming. If you’ve got burning, pain, and cloudy urine along with the spasms, a UTI is worth ruling out.
- Catheter Use: If you’ve recently had a catheter inserted or removed, spasms can follow. Catheters can irritate the bladder wall, and once they’re removed, your bladder could take a while to regain normal function. During this time, spasms are common. These can be especially uncomfortable and may cause leakage around the catheter or unexpected urges after removal.
- Overactive Bladder (OAB): OAB is a chronic bladder condition that affects millions of people, especially as we get older. It can cause frequent, sudden urges to urinate, making it disruptive, especially if it leads to accidents or nighttime waking. Bladder spasms are often a key symptom.
- Neurological Conditions: Disorders like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), or spinal cord injuries can affect the nerves that control your bladder, triggering spasms. When these nerve signals are disrupted, the bladder may contract unexpectedly, causing spasms and incontinence. In some cases, the brain doesn’t receive the correct signals about when the bladder is full, or the bladder muscle receives the wrong message to squeeze when it shouldn’t.
- Post-Surgical Irritation: Bladder or pelvic surgeries can cause temporary inflammation, which may result in spasms as your body heals. This can irritate the bladder and lead to spasms during the healing process. The body is essentially reacting to trauma or disruption.
- Bladder Stones: While less common, physical obstructions like bladder stones can cause irritation inside the bladder. These abnormalities can press against or inflame the bladder wall, leading to frequent contractions and spasms.
How long do bladder spasms last?
Ultimately, there’s no definitive answer here because it can depend on lots of factors such as the underlying cause, your overall health, and whether treatment has started.
Some people experience short spasms that last only a few seconds, while others could get recurring spasms over hours or even longer.
Acute bladder spasms (caused by UTIs, food, medications and more) are the kind that usually only last seconds, but they can be quite frequent.
Chronic bladder spasms (caused by conditions like Interstitial Cystitis and Bladder Pain Syndrome) tend to be a consistent pain or discomfort that can continue until the cause is treated, which can be weeks, months, or even years.
- Acute spasms (caused by things like UTIs, recent catheter use, or minor surgery) often disappear once the underlying issue is treated. If symptoms come on suddenly and unexpectedly, then it’s best to see your GP to get it checked and treated quickly.
- Chronic spasms, linked to long-term conditions like OAB or neurological disorders, may persist and require ongoing management.
How to stop bladder spasms
Managing spasms isn’t always straightforward, but with the right mix of lifestyle tweaks, treatments and maybe a bit of trial and error, you can seriously reduce their impact on your day-to-day life.
Hydration, hydration, hydration!
It sounds counterintuitive, especially if you’re leaking, but staying hydrated is key. Dehydration leads to concentrated urine, which irritates the bladder lining and can make spasms worse.
Watch what you eat and drink: Some foods and drinks are known bladder irritants. Try cutting back on:
- Caffeine (coffee, tea, cola)
- Alcohol (yep, sorry about that)
- Citrus fruits
- Spicy foods
- Artificial sweeteners
- Fizzy drinks
Everyone’s a bit different, so keeping a bladder diary can help you spot patterns.
Outside of hydration, there are many other things you can do to help improve your incontinence and work on your spasms, some ideas to take into consideration are:
Pelvic floor exersices
Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can give you more control over your bladder. Regularly doing kegel exercises can help reduce the urgency and frequency of spasms.
Bladder training
Training your bladder to hold urine for longer periods of time can help. It involves scheduled trips to the toilet where you gradually increase the time between going. Specialist advice is recommended for this, so you can come up with a plan safely.
Managing stress
Stress and anxiety can make the spasms worse. Mindfulness, yoga, and even just regular exercise can do wonders for calming your nervous system. For more information, see our blog on how anxiety affects the bladder and bowel.
Using disposable incontinence pants
Although they don’t stop bladder spasms, disposable incontinence pants are a great way to manage leaks caused by them. Not only do they provide a physical barrier against accidents, but they also offer peace of mind when you're out and about.
Look for pants that:
- Fit like regular underwear
- Have high absorbency (check the water drop icons on the pack)
- Offer odour control
If you’re looking for support on this, then our blog on how to experience fewer bladder leaks could provide you with some helpful advice.
When should you see a doctor?
You don’t need to suffer in silence. While bladder spasms are common, especially as we age, they’re not something you have to just put up with. Make an appointment with your GP if:
- You have recurring spasms
- You experience pain, burning, or blood in your urine
- You’re leaking frequently or unexpectedly
- You suspect a UTI
- Your symptoms are affecting your sleep, confidence or social life
- The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can start finding solutions that work for you.
Tackle incontinence and bladder spasms today
Bladder spasms can feel like an invisible enemy, popping up at the worst times and disrupting your day (or night). But with a bit of understanding, some practical changes, professional medical help and the right incontinence products, you can help take back control.
Take a look at our full range of incontinence products, such as disposable incontinence pants, adult nappies, incontinence pads and more, designed to work with your body and your lifestyle, not against it.
Your bladder might be unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean your day has to be.
