Overactive bladder

Overview

Vitamin D is the only supplement listed for overactive bladder, with low-strength evidence across three studies. Results are mixed: daily vitamin D for five years did not reduce overall OAB in older men, though it may have halved OAB risk in men with low vitamin D except for nocturia. In children with low vitamin D and OAB without leakage, vitamin D with bladder training reduced bathroom trips over eight weeks.

Overall evidence is insufficient and population-specific. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

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Vitamin D	★★★★★	Low

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Studies

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1 supplement for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

Vitamin DView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceMediumTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is unclear if vitamin D helps with overactive bladder (OAB) in kids or adults.
In older men, taking vitamin D daily for 5 years did not lower how often OAB happened overall.
But for men with low vitamin D, supplements reduced the chance of OAB by about half, except nighttime bladder problems increased.
In children with low vitamin D and OAB but no urinary leakage, taking vitamin D daily for 8 weeks along with bladder training helped reduce trips to the bathroom by 3 or 4 times a day compared to training alone or with medication.

Browse 3 studies

RCTEfficacy and Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation vs Solifenacin or Standard Urotherapy for Overactive Bladder Dry in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial2024n=303

In a 3-arm RCT of 303 children with overactive bladder, 8 weeks of 2,400 IU/day vitamin D plus urotherapy reduced voiding frequency comparably to solifenacin plus urotherapy.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 8 weeks
Dose: 400 IU/day
Population: Children/adolescents
Participants: 303
Avg age: ~7

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RCTEfficacy of high-dose vitamin D supplementation vs. solifenacin or standard urotherapy for overactive bladder dry in children: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial2024n=303

In a secondary analysis of 303 children with overactive bladder, 8 weeks of high-dose vitamin D plus standard urotherapy reduced voiding frequency in vitamin D-insufficient children with severe symptoms.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 8 weeks
Population: Children/adolescents
Participants: 303

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RCTEffect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Overactive Bladder and Urinary Incontinence Symptoms in Older Men: Ancillary Findings From a Randomized Trial2023n=11,486

In VITAL ancillary analyses of 11,486 men aged 55+, 2,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for 5 years did not reduce overactive bladder or urinary incontinence prevalence versus placebo.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 5 years
Dose: 2000 IU/day
Population: Older men
Participants: 11,486
Ages: 55+

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Evidence visualised

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Purchase-guidance distribution

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Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 1 supplements for overactive bladder (3 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Meta-analyses	Share
Vitamin D	★★★★★48%	3	0	100%

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Overview

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Studies

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