Bladder Dysfunction

Bladder dysfunction is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that occurs when nerve damage disrupts communication between the brain, spinal cord, and the muscles that control bladder function. This can lead to symptoms such as urgency, frequency, urinary retention, and leakage. However, a range of treatments, including lifestyle strategies, medications, and specialized urologic care, can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Bladder dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) happens when lesions in the brain and/or spinal cord disrupt nerve signals going to the detrusor muscle (located in the wall of the bladder) and to the urinary sphincter (muscles surrounding the opening to the bladder). When the muscles of the bladder are not working correctly or in coordination with one another, symptoms such as increased frequency (having to go to the bathroom often), urgency (having to go to the bathroom quickly), retaining urine, and leaking urine, can occur.

Treatments for bladder problems include behavior modification techniques, such as staying hydrated and voiding on a schedule, as well as a number of medications aimed specifically at the type of dysfunction an individual is experiencing. Those with multiple sclerosis who are having bladder symptoms are strongly encouraged to consult with a urologist who is experienced with treating individuals with multiple sclerosis.

How MS Affects the Bladder

Two major muscles are involved in emptying the bladder: the detrusor muscle and the sphincter muscle. Interruptions to the flow of nerve impulses to these muscles – resulting from MS lesions in the brain and spinal cord – can cause these muscles to contract or relax inappropriately.

With MS, the detrusor muscle in the wall of the bladder may involuntarily contract, increasing the pressure in the bladder and decreasing the volume of urine the bladder can hold. This causes symptoms of having to urinate frequently and/or urgently, leaking urine, and feeling pressure when the bladder is not full. In addition, all of these symptoms can interfere with a good night’s sleep.

The inability to store or hold urine in the bladder occurs when the bladder is unable to retain urine when it accumulates. Sometimes with multiple sclerosis, instead of expanding when urine collects, the bladder involuntarily contracts, which can make you feel as if you have an urgent need to go to the bathroom much of the time – even when there isn’t much urine in the bladder.

The flow of urine is controlled by the sphincter in the bladder, the muscle that relaxes to open and contracts to close. An inability to empty means that even though a person senses that the bladder is full, the nerve impulse telling the muscle to open is interrupted and never reaches the urinary sphincter, and the sphincter muscle closes before all the urine is emptied from the bladder.

If you’re not emptying your bladder completely, you might feel the urge to void often but have hesitancy when you try to void. You may also wake up at night often to void since the bladder is not completely empty during the day. Bladder infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs) can occur if urine, which is a waste product, sits in the bladder too long.

Leakage of urine is another symptom that can occur in some cases when the sphincter remains at least partially open, resulting in involuntary leaks. Sometimes the detrusor muscle and the sphincter muscle do not work in coordination and a person with multiple sclerosis can experience many bladder symptoms.

Treatments for Bladder Issues

Bladder problems can be treated once the symptoms are openly discussed and proper assessment is completed.

Behavior Modification, Assessments, and Interventions

Certain behavior modification techniques may be used to manage bladder symptoms, including:

Drink 48-to-64 ounces of fluid a day (one-and-a-half to two quarts) to keep well hydrated. Water is best.
Drink six-to-eight ounces of fluid at regular intervals and then urinate on a regular schedule, rather than waiting for the urge. It takes about one-and-a-half hours for fluid that you drank to get to the bladder, so try to void by the clock, every one-and-a-half to two hours.
Limit the amount of caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and orange juice. It’s okay to have one cup of coffee or tea, but remember that caffeine can cause you to void more frequently and more urgently. Alcohol is also a bladder irritant, as is the acidity of certain drinks such as orange juice.
Stop smoking – yes, smoking is a bladder irritant too.
Don’t try to self-treat your bladder problems by drinking less fluid! This can lead to constipation and/or urinary tract infections.

Assessing how your bladder is functioning first involves a simple screening for a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is very common in multiple sclerosis and can cause many of the symptoms mentioned. If you have an infection, you will be treated with antibiotics to clear up the infection, and typically, symptoms will improve.

If you do not have an infection, then further evaluation of how your bladder is working is important before suggesting treatments. After proper assessment, medications might be prescribed to allow the bladder to hold more urine or empty better. Many types of medications are on the market now, so don’t get discouraged if one doesn’t work or causes too many side effects.

Another intervention is to learn the technique of intermittent self-catheterization to allow the urine to flow and empty the bladder if you are not emptying your bladder completely. Intermittent catheterization (IC) is a safe procedure that can help bring your urinary symptoms under control.

Many people self-catheterize and report that it has improved their quality of life. It will allow you to completely empty your bladder at regular intervals, protect your kidneys from infection and damage, lower the risk of distending (stretching) the bladder, and eliminate the need for wearing a continuously draining catheter. However, some individuals benefit from an indwelling catheter (Foley catheter) for a short period of time.

Other interventions can be offered by a urologist, including a suprapubic catheter. This is another type of urine drainage catheter that is surgically inserted into the bladder so that urine can drain out. Instead of urine being passed through the urethra opening as usual, the suprapubic catheter is inserted through the abdominal wall just above the pubic bone and into the bladder.

Other procedures or treatments might also be recommended by a urologist. For example, Botox injections into the bladder have been effective for some individuals to help with managing bladder symptoms.

Medications to Treat Bladder Issues

Bladder medications for failure to store:

Ditropan^® and Ditropan XL^® (oxybutynin)
Detrol^® and Detrol LA^® (tolterodine tartrate)
Vesicare^® (solifenacin)
Enablex^® (darifenacin)
Levsinex^® (hyoscyamine)
Flomax^® (tamsulosin) and other antihistamines
Hytrin^® (terazosin); Minipress^® (prazosin)
DDAVP (desmopressin)
Botulinum Toxin (Botox^®)
Myrbetriq^® (mirabegron)
Toviaz^® (fesoterodine fumarate)

Medications to treat bladder infections:

Bactrim^® (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim)
Septra^® (sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim)
Cipro^® (ciprofloxacin)
Macrodantin^®, Macrobid^® (nitrofurantoin)

It’s important to share your concerns with your healthcare providers, and if they are not able to help, ask for a referral to someone who can help. If bladder symptoms continue, a urologist experienced in multiple sclerosis should be consulted.

Reviewed by MSAA Chief Medical Officer Barry Hendin, MD
Original content by Marie A. Namey, APN, MSCN