Kolkata | July 2025 – In the quiet corners of everyday life, a growing number of people in Kolkata are grappling with a condition they’re too embarrassed to talk about—Overactive Bladder (OAB). While often dismissed as a minor inconvenience or misattributed to gas or ageing, OAB is fast becoming a significant health concern in urban West Bengal, especially among women and the elderly.
Recent estimates suggest that approximately 15% of Bengal’s population is affected by OAB. Women, particularly those above 60, are disproportionately impacted, with prevalence nearing 28% in this group. Despite these numbers, OAB continues to be underdiagnosed—hidden behind stigma, lack of awareness, and the cultural discomfort of discussing urinary symptoms openly.
Hospitals across Kolkata, including tertiary care centres and nursing homes, have noted a steady uptick in patients presenting with classic OAB symptoms—frequent urges to urinate, sudden leaks, and disrupted sleep due to nighttime urination. But the real concern, doctors say, is the number of people who never come forward at all.
Kolkata’s changing urban lifestyle is fuelling the fire. Increased consumption of tea, coffee, and soft drinks—all known bladder irritants—has become part of the daily routine. High intake of spicy, oily, and salty foods, commonly found in both traditional Bengali meals and modern processed snacks, further irritates the bladder lining. Add to this the long hours of sitting, minimal exercise, rising obesity, and post-childbirth pelvic trauma—and the risk factors multiply silently.
Many women, especially post-menopausal or those who’ve had multiple childbirths, experience OAB symptoms but internalize them as “normal after a certain age.” The reality is far from it. With early diagnosis and simple lifestyle changes—such as reducing caffeine, increasing physical activity, and practicing bladder retraining—symptoms can be controlled and quality of life significantly improved.
According to urologists, the emotional and psychological burden of untreated OAB is often underestimated. Constant worry about leakage, planning every outing around toilet availability, and disturbed sleep can lead to anxiety, social withdrawal, and even depression. Yet, help is available—and it starts with speaking up.
“We see a growing number of patients in Kolkata coming in late because they hesitate to speak up. Overactive Bladder is not just an old age issue—it’s a lifestyle-linked condition. With early diagnosis, behavioral changes, and appropriate medication, the condition is manageable. But for that to happen, people need to talk about it,” said Dr. Sayak Roy, Consultant Urologist, Bellevue Clinic, Kolkata.
With modern treatment options now widely available in the city, from oral therapies to non-invasive behavioral interventions, medical experts are calling for a public shift in how we perceive bladder health.
It’s time for Kolkata to break the silence. Overactive Bladder isn’t a taboo. It’s treatable. And talking about it might just be the most important first step toward living freely again.
References –
•Apollo Hospitals. Overactive Bladder – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment [Internet]. Available from: https://www.apollohospitals.com/diseases-and-conditions/overactive-bladder
•Times of India. Overactive bladder: 5 lifestyle changes that really work [Internet]. Available from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/overactive-bladder-5-lifestyle-changes-that-really-work/articleshow/122414792.cms
•RG Hospitals. Overactive Bladder Symptoms [Internet]. Available from: https://www.rghospitals.com/blog/overactive-bladder-symptoms
•Sparsh Diagnostica. Overactive Bladder [Internet]. Available from: https://www.sparshdiagnostica.com/overactive-bladder/
•Kim JH, Kim KH, Lee SJ. Healthy lifestyle and risk of overactive bladder symptoms in women: A population-based cohort study. PLoS One [Internet]. 2022;17(3):e0265823. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12256703/
•Metropolis Healthcare. Everything You Need to Know About Overactive Bladder (OAB) [Internet]. Available from: https://www.metropolisindia.com/blog/preventive-healthcare/everything-you-need-to-know-about-overactive-bladder-oab
•Manipal Hospitals. Understanding Overactive Bladder: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments [Internet]. Available from: https://www.manipalhospitals.com/goa/blog/understanding-overactive-bladder-symptoms-causes-and-treatments/
•The New Indian Express. One in five women in India affected by overactive bladder [Internet]. 2025 Jun 16. Available from: https://www.newindianexpress.com/xplore/2025/Jun/16/one-in-five-women-in-india-affected-by-overactive-bladder
•RG Hospitals. Causes of Urinary Incontinence [Internet]. Available from: https://www.rghospitals.com/blog/causes-of-urinary-incontinence
•Manipal Hospitals. Symptoms of Overactive Bladder [Internet]. Available from: https://www.manipalhospitals.com/symptoms/overactive-bladder/
