Medical treatment of female overactive bladder syndrome and treatment-related effects

The age-adjusted prevalence of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) in Taiwan is approximately 16.9%. Currently, a variety of treatments are available for female OAB. However, different treatments have different treatment-related effects that may lead to significant adverse effects and ineffective treatment. In this article, we reviewed the tools that can be used to evaluate the efficacy of OAB treatments, such as a variety of questionnaires, serum or urine biomarkers, bladder diaries and urodynamic studies. In addition, we reviewed the medications used for female OAB treatment, such as antimuscarinics, beta-3 agonists, onabotulinumtoxinA intradetrusor injections, topical vaginal estrogen therapy and bladder instillation of liposome-encapsulated onabotulinumtoxinA. We focused on their efficacy and any treatment-related effects. The information in this review should be useful as a guide to the treatment of female OAB patients.