Actress Holly Robinson Peete, known for her roles on the Hallmark channel and in the TV series 21 Jump Street, is no stranger to being on the go. For a few years now, the 60-year-old philanthropist and mom of four has also been experiencing a “gotta go” urge that has hindered plans and affected her busy schedule. After sharing her symptoms with her doctor, Peete was diagnosed with a condition called overactive bladder (OAB).
In an interview with FIRST for Women, Peete opens up about her journey with OAB, the treatment plan that helped and her advice to other women who may be going through the same thing.
How Holly Robinson Peete recognized her overactive bladder symptoms
“I noticed I was going to the bathroom a lot and had a sudden urge to go, like now,” Peete shares with First for Women. “I was kind of white-knuckling it through the symptoms.” She notes that this urgency meant she needed to request a plane aisle seat and stop doing what she loved, like going to concerts or traveling as much because she needed to be by a bathroom.
Then, during one photoshoot, Peete couldn’t take it anymore. “I was number one on the call sheet on set, and everyone started joking about me because I’d always say, ‘I have to go 10-1,’ which is code for having to go to the bathroom.”
“I didn’t know that it was anything other than just getting older or a part of menopause, which has been really difficult for me,” says Peete. However, after laying out her symptoms to her doctor, Peete realized what was happening was abnormal. “I was surprised when my doctor said I had something called overactive bladder.”
What is overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder is a condition characterized by symptoms that include more frequent urination, uncontrollable urges to urinate (or urgency), urination at night (nocturia) and/or urinary incontinence.
According to the National Overactive Bladder Evaluation study, as many as 33 million adult Americans meet the criteria for OAB—though many sufferers do not seek medical help, and many family physicians and even gynecologists are not familiar with this issue.
Knowing what she was dealing with was a great relief for Peete. “I had signs of OAB for about two years before actually getting the diagnosis,” she explains. “I was struggling with that sudden urge to go, frequency and leakage episodes, which are all things that happen as a result of OAB, but they can be really difficult to navigate.”
How Holly Robinson Peete is treating her OAB
After consulting with her doctor, Peete was prescribed Gemtesa, a beta-3 agonist medication that helps control urgency, leaks and frequency. “I’ve been on Gemtesa for a little over two years now and it’s helped me maintain the lifestyle I’m accustomed to,” shares Peete. She takes it every day, and while it doesn’t completely eliminate her symptoms, it does minimize them.
She points to Gemtesa and the community she found with other women who have OAB as a big reason why she’s so open about her condition. “We call them Gemtesa go-getters. When you meet your tribe and have conversations with other people, you just feel seen, and it feels like people understand what you’re experiencing.”
Peete also tries her best to stay stress-free as more stress can worsen symptoms of OAB. “I’m all about staying away from the drama and the chaos because drama is stress, and stress is not good for you,” she says.
Holly Robinson Peete’s advice for women with overactive bladder
When discussing her experiences, Peete hopes to spread awareness to people dealing with overactive bladder. “I wish other people understood that it’s a chronic condition and not just a result of aging,” she says.
She believes there is a lack of awareness surrounding OAB and encourages people to talk to their doctor if they notice any of the symptoms. “Having those conversations with your doctor is really going to help you find solutions and treatments, so it’s not anything to be embarrassed about.”
Peete also wishes she had recognized her condition sooner. “If you haven’t gone to a doctor yet, and you think you have OAB based on your symptoms, go to see a doctor and listen to your body,” she advises. She also encourages people to visit Time To Go’s website because it has resources about OAB, Gemtesa and a community for support.
Holly Robinson Peete’s life today: advocacy, acting and relief From OAB
Since being diagnosed and finding a successful way to manage her OAB, Peete is no longer putting her life on hold. Currently, she’s running the HollyRod Foundation, her non-profit for autism and Parkinson’s. One of Peete’s sons has autism, and her brother and late father were both diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
When it comes to projects, Peete is booked and busy. This year, she’s one of the participants on Celebrity Lego Masters: Holiday Bricktacular, which airs on FOX on December 10. “If you like Legos, it’s so fun, and we’re big Lego geeks, says Peete of her family. She’s also working on new Hallmark content and continues to advocate for women with OAB.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
