Urge incontinence is often used interchangeably with overactive bladder. However, they're not the same. Overactive bladder is a frequent urge to urinate but does not necessarily involve leakage. The distinction is complicated because those with UI can almost teach their brains to respond early to the urge to urinate. A woman who is fearful of leakage, may constantly visit the bathroom and empty her bladder before it is full, teaching her body that she needs to go sooner. Eventually, this can create a frequent urge to urinate, which is the basic definition of overactive bladder.