New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
COVID-19 quarantine confidential
Social distancing impacts life for women with overactive bladder
In 2020, the phrase “social distancing” became mainstream, as many people around the world had to experience extended periods of quarantining. The mandate to keep distance, limit travel and stay home has left many people to feel anxious, isolated and lonely. Unfortunately, for the 30 million Americans that suffer from overactive bladder (OAB), the feelings are all too familiar.
OAB is a condition defined by the sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to ignore or control, with people experiencing that “need to go” feeling more than eight times a day and are frequently woken up two or more times at night. Beyond physical symptoms, individuals with OAB also report significant impairment to quality of life, with the condition impacting daily events, physical activity, mental health, sexual function, relationships and emotional well-being.
Those affected often suffer in silence as their conditions are misunderstood or not adequately treated.
Ethnographic research from Urovant Sciences revealed some unanticipated outcomes of COVID-19 on OAB patients.
1. The Relief of Social Distancing
For some, COVID-19 has provided a safe haven. Living with OAB can result in unexpected and urgent trips to the bathroom, causing some to skip social events altogether. Some people say they feel more
relaxed at home with a bathroom just a few steps away.
Vanessa, a saleswoman who has been living with OAB for over 20 years, says being able to work from home has allowed her to go about her daily routine with less stress about her condition. “OAB has always made the smallest of things - like grocery shopping or going to the movies - more challenging. It makes me feel like an outcast when I’m out in public or travelling for work and the only thing on my mind is my bathroom breaks. Spending more time at home during the pandemic has been a relief. I don’t need to plan my routes around my bathroom schedule or risk feeling embarrassed in front of others.”
2. The Difference Five Minutes Makes
Many stores and restaurants have new COVIDbased safety protocols in place to maintain cleanliness. However, something as little as a five-minute delay could shatter an entire day for someone with OAB. Every extra minute waiting in lines, in one-way aisles, or looking for an open bathroom may be the difference between making it home or experiencing a leak.
3. The Doctor will Video Chat You Now
Telemedicine, or virtual doctors’ visits, were steadily on the rise before seeing a huge jump in popularity following COVID-19 concerns. Now, telemedicine may also be helping remove roadblocks to care. Patients do not have to wait inperson at doctors’ offices donning a mask, map out where the nearest restroom is, or worry about a long drive to a physician’s office. Some may also be more comfortable having these conversations from the comfort of their home.
All of this may result in better outcomes for patients: when a healthcare provider better understands their patients’ lifestyles and needs, the better they can customize their treatment recommendations and symptom management. Talking with a healthcare provider about OAB can improve understanding of the condition, keep patients updated on the latest treatment options, and make it easier to explore the options that may work best for you. Whether virtually or in person (following safety protocols), make your health a priority.
To help address the needs of women struggling with OAB, and to help reduce the stigma so often associated with this condition, Urovant created Bladder Chatter: an online, community-based forum that helps empower, inform and support women with overactive bladder. The site is for people who seek to learn from each other in a safe, private and nonjudgmental place. Bladder Chatter hosts expert articles, tips and patient stories that inform OAB patients how they can change the way they think about their
OAB.