Can Constipation Cause Overactive Bladder | CanPharm

When your digestive system isn’t moving the way it should, it can throw off more than just your bathroom routine. Constipation might seem like a completely separate issue from bladder function, but for some people the two are more connected than you’d think. If you’re dealing with frequent urges to pee and or have bladder leakages, you might start to wonder: can constipation cause overactive bladder?

What Is OAB and Constipation?

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition that causes a sudden and frequent urge to urinate, often accompanied by bladder leakage or the need to go multiple times during the night. It happens when the bladder muscles contract too often or at the wrong times, making it hard to control the urge. On the other hand, constipation refers to infrequent, difficult, or incomplete bowel movements. It’s usually caused by not getting enough fiber or fluids, or by foods moving too slowly through the digestive system, becoming hard and dry. 

The Relationship Between Overactive Bladder and Constipation

The short answer is yes. Constipation and OAB can be closely linked. Both conditions involve muscles and nerves in the pelvic region, so when something’s off in one system, it can affect the other. In constipation, stool builds up in the rectum and puts pressure on nearby organs, including the bladder. That pressure can make you feel like you have to urinate more often, or make it harder to fully empty your bladder. It can also irritate the bladder and contribute to symptoms like urgency or incontinence.

This connection is especially common in children and older adults, but it can affect people of any age. For example, in kids, treating constipation has sometimes resolved bedwetting or daytime urinary accidents. In adults, chronic constipation may contribute to ongoing bladder symptoms, especially in people with already sensitive or overactive bladders.

The pelvic floor muscles play a key role, as they support both the bowel and bladder. If those muscles are strained, weakened, or overly tense due to chronic constipation or repeated straining, bladder control can also suffer. Over time, this may lead to urinary urgency, leakage, or incomplete emptying.

Additionally, the nerves controlling the bowel and bladder overlap in the spinal cord. So when one system is irritated like from a built-up stool, it can send mixed or exaggerated signals to the other. This shared nerve pathway may explain why some people notice flare-ups in bladder symptoms when they’re constipated, and improvement when bowel function returns to normal.

Takeaway

Managing one can often help improve the other. If you’re unsure whether your constipation is contributing to your bladder issues, talk to your doctor or a pelvic health specialist. A more comfortable gut might lead to a more predictable bladder too. Addressing constipation through diet, hydration, and routine changes may ease pressure on the bladder and reduce urgency or leaks. Don’t overlook the connection as getting both systems in sync can make a noticeable difference in daily comfort and quality of life.