What is Neurogenic Bladder?
Millions of Americans have neurogenic bladder. Neurogenic bladder is when a person lacks bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord or nerve problem. This includes people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, spina bifida, and people who have had a stroke or a spinal cord injury. Major pelvic surgery, diabetes, and other illnesses can also damage the nerves that control the bladder.
Neurogenic bladder involves the nervous system and the bladder, and doctors will conduct different tests to determine the health of both. Talking to your healthcare provider about your symptoms can be an important first step.
Your provider may ask you for your medical history and your daily habits or give you a physical exam. A physical exam for women may look at the abdomen, pelvis, and rectum. For men, the abdomen, rectum, and prostate may be checked. You may also need to leave a urine sample to be tested for infection.
Neurogenic bladder can be a lot to handle. Talk to your healthcare provider about any symptoms you have. Find out what can be done to manage your symptoms. When given treatment choices, think about what will work best for you and your lifestyle.
If you have any further questions about Neurogenic Bladder, consult your physician for treatment and questions.
You can also find further resources below:
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC)
- Nerve Disease and Bladder Control: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/nervedisease/
- National Association For Continence: www.NAFC.org – 1.800.BLADDER
- Simon Foundation for Continence: www.SimonFoundation.org – 1-800-23Simon
- Urology Care Foundation Find A Urologist Tool: Urologyhealth.org/findaurologist
- It’s Time to Talk about OAB: Urologyhealth.org/oab
- MS and Your Bladder: Urologyhealth.org/neurogenicbladder, click on “Tool for MS Patients”
- Neurogenic Bladder: Urologyhealth.org/neurogenicbladder
Download more information about neurogenic bladder and print it yourself at Urologyhealth.org/educational-materials/neurogenic-bladder. For copies of other printed materials about urologic conditions, visit Urologyhealth.org/educational-materials or call 800-828-7866.
