What role do bladder training and pelvic floor exercises play in the management of overactive bladder?

Bladder training is recommended as a first-line treatment for women with urgency or mixed urinary incontinence, lasting for a minimum of 6 weeks, to help manage overactive bladder symptoms ¹.

Pelvic floor exercises, specifically pelvic floor muscle training, are part of lifestyle interventions and are recommended to be offered as a first-line treatment, with programmes comprising at least 8 contractions performed 3 times per day ¹.

Pelvic floor muscle training aims to improve pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, and relaxation, which can help reduce urgency and incontinence episodes associated with overactive bladder ³.