Most men's risk factors for overactive bladder are the same as the risk factors for women: aging, chronic disease and medications. For men, however, the prostate gland can lead to bladder trouble.

The prostate is a gland found right below the bladder. It surrounds the top part of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. The prostate releases fluid into the urethra during ejaculation to protect sperm and helps make reproduction possible.

Enlarged prostate

The position of the prostate gland can lead to trouble. The prostate can become enlarged, a condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An enlarged prostate gland can squeeze the urethra and interfere with normal urination. According to the National Association for Continence (NAFC), more than half of men older than 60 have BPH -- making it a major risk factor for male overactive bladder, as well as urinary incontinence.

Doctors don't really know what causes BPH in most men. It seems to be a natural part of aging and doesn't cause a problem for many men. Hormones like testosterone and estrogen are likely involved, but they aren't completely responsible for this condition. If your dad or another male relative had BPH, you might keep this in mind -- family history has been identified as increasing BPH risk, and thus possibly OAB too.