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The Role of Oral Contraception on Bladder Symptoms

  • Overactive Bladder (U Lee, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

While the effects of local and systemic estrogen on the pelvic floor have been widely studied in postmenopausal women, little is known about oral contraceptive (OCP) use and the role on bladder symptoms. Estrogen and progesterone have been implicated in both the treatment and etiology of various pelvic floor conditions including overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections, and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. This article will review the effect of oral contraceptive pills on bladder symptoms.

Recent Findings

Oral contraceptives appear to decrease the risk of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The effect of OCP on recurrent UTI, OAB/UUI is unclear. Combined oral contraceptives may be implicated in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

Summary

There appears to be a link between changes in estrogen and progesterone levels and lower urinary tract symptoms. While many studies have evaluated the effect of hormones on the genitourinary tract and bladder function in postmenopausal women menopause, further studies are needed to directly examine the role of OCP in the etiology and treatment of various lower urinary tract conditions. Oral contraceptives are manufactured with a variety of synthetic progestins and with varying dosages of estrogen and progestin, which have been demonstrated to alter endogenous hormone production and hormone receptor expression. Further research how these changes may affect bladder function is warranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Medical Plaza Suite 383, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Lauren N. Wood & Tamara Grisales

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  1. Lauren N. Wood
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  2. Tamara Grisales
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Correspondence to Tamara Grisales.

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Drs Wood and Grisales declare they have no conflicts of interests.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Overactive Bladder

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Wood, L.N., Grisales, T. The Role of Oral Contraception on Bladder Symptoms. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 12, 361–365 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-017-0422-7

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