- A programme of bladder training has no side effects and does not preclude any other treatment. It is useful as a behavioural treatment particularly for older people who often experience side effects of medication
- Bladder training involves the person learning to resist the desire to go to the toilet
- It aims to stretch the bladder and reduce overactivity/ hypersensitivity
- Key point – Any person who engages with bladder training needs to be motivated and encouraged to follow the programme as initially it can be very difficult to defer the need to void. It is important that the patient’s motivation is sustained with good support throughout the process
- A training programme gradually increases the time between voids over a 6 week period. The person should comfortably reach 3-4 hourly voiding
- Bladder training should begin with individual written and verbal information
- A reasonable and realistic interval of scheduled voiding should be introduced. The person is then guided to defer toilet visits by 5 to 15 minutes each week
- Deep breathing, relaxation and mental distraction techniques are taught to help control urgency feelings
- At the start of the programme the person may experience increased episodes of leakage but this is to be expected and will improve as the programme continues
- Training is not carried out during the night. However if bladder training is successful it helps to improve night time frequency (nocturia)
- Some people with severe urgency find bladder training difficult. They may benefit from the addition of an antimuscarinic medication but there must not be any incomplete emptying (common after stroke) as the use of antimuscarinic medication may increase post-void urinary residuals.
Read the Consensus statement on bladder training and bowel training article.
Page last reviewed: 31 Jan 2022
