The Risks of OAB Medications

Hey Fam!

Welcome to Yourology with Dr. Malik – your weekly prescription for the latest medical updates, valuable insights, and freshest highlights straight from the frontlines of medicine!

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT:

This week, I’m excited to share an article that I co-authored. It dives into the challenges of prescribing medications for patients with overactive bladder (OAB). We’ve gathered significant data linking anticholinergic medications, which are often the first-line treatment for OAB, to an increased risk of dementia. Despite this, insurance companies often don't cover the newer medications called beta-3 agonists, which offer similar efficacy without the same side effects or dementia risk.

Let me break it down a bit: Anticholinergics (medications like oxybutynin, trospium, tolterodine, solefenacin) work by preventing bladder contractions, helping reduce urinary frequency, urgency, and leakage. They’re effective but come with side effects like constipation, dry eyes, dry mouth, and the potential long-term risk of dementia.

On the other hand, beta-3 agonists (medications like mirabegron and vibegron) help by relaxing the bladder, relieving symptoms of urgency, frequency, and incontinence. They generally have fewer side effects, though they can occasionally affect blood pressure and cause mild issues like nasopharyngitis. Overall, they’re well-tolerated.

If you’re interested in learning more about bladder medications, check out my video on this topic here.

YOUR WEEKLY HEALTH TIPS:

Constipation is not normal. Your bowels should be smooth and soft, not loose and mushy or hard like milk duds (check out the bristol stool chart below). Why am I telling you this? when you're constipated you can be more likely to get urinary tract infections or have worsening of your urinary symptoms. It's all connected!

Q&A WITH DR. MALIK:

A Question from Alex: “I asked my urologist about any benefits to prostate massagers for BPH and he laughed out loud. Maybe he's uninformed, but what do you think about any potential benefits?”

As of now, prostate massage has not shown any clinical evidence for benefit in terms of reducing BPH symptoms. Now if you're symptoms are from pelvic floor dysfunction, prostate massage may be helpful because it might cause some relaxation of tight pelvic floor muscles. Learn more about prostate massage here and hyperactive pelvic floor here.

Every week, Dr. Malik will answer a question from one of our subscribers. If you have a question you'd like Dr. Malik to answer, submit it here for a chance to be featured!

WHAT’S NEW WITH DR. MALIK?:

This week I'm working on trying to get 10,000 steps a day! It's a lot harder than I thought and requires me to take walking breaks throughout the day, however, it's beneficial for overall health and weight management. I also bought this walking pad so I can make sure I get my steps when I don't get a chance to go outside.

Also, I had the pleasure of being a guest on Dr. Gabrielle Lyon's show, and I’m excited to share that the episode is now live! In this episode, we cover why your libido might be low or why things aren’t working quite the way they should. We talked about the truth behind common medications like oral contraceptives and SSRIs and their impact on your sexual health.

We also tackled the different types of orgasms women experience, and common insecurities about body image, scent, and sexual performance.

Watch it now on YouTube or listen to Apple Podcast.

Also, if you haven't subscribed to the podcast - check out our latest giveaway because we're giving away $10,000 worth of prizes!

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CHANNEL:

Boosting Muscles but Lowering Testosterone? Here's What You Need to Know About High-Protein Diets!

In our latest video, Dr. Malik will explore the facts, and what you need to know to optimize both your muscle gains and hormone health, as she talk about the science behind high-protein diets and their impact on testosterone.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PODCAST:

Finding the G-Spot, Curing Porn Addiction, Orgasm with Penetration, Post-Void Dribble | AMA

Ever wondered about finding the G-spot, beating porn addiction, or having better orgasms? Watch now the latest Q&A session with Dr. Malik as she talks about these topics and more.

Watch it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to discover the facts and get your questions answered!

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Malik

Dr. Malik, urologist and pelvic surgeon spends plenty of time getting to know her patients' needs. Based in Beverly Hills & Irvine, California, she helps people with different pelvic and sexual issues and offers treatments that fit their goals. Dr. Malik cares a lot about making her patients happy and ensuring they get the best results. Schedule your appointment now!

As always, remember to take care of yourself because you're worth it!

Yours Truly,

Rena Malik, M.D