stimulation options. non-invasive options include the introduction of a probe into the vagina or anus, or the insertion of an electrical probe into a nerve near the ankle with a fine needle. these non-invasive options appear to reduce symptoms while they are in use, and are better than no treatment, or treatment with drugs, or pelvic floor muscle treatment, but the quality of evidence is low. it is unknown which electrical stimulation option works best. also, it is unknown whether the benefits last after treatment stops. alternative medicine there is very low-quality evidence that acupuncture may offer a very small improvement in a person's symptoms when compared to a person who does not seek treatment for this condition. prognosis many people with oab symptoms had those symptoms subside within a year, with estimates as high as 39%, but most have symptoms for several years. epidemiology earlier reports estimated that about one in six adults in the united states and europe had oab. the number of people affected with oab increases with age, thus it is expected that oab will become more common in the future as the average age of people living in the developed world is increasing. however, a recent finnish population-based survey suggested that the number of people affected had been largely overestimated due to methodological shortcomings regarding age distribution and low participation (in earlier reports). it is suspected, then, that oab affects approximately half the number of individuals as earlier reported. the american urological association reports studies showing rates as low as 7% to as high as 27% in men and rates as low as 9% to 43% in women. urge incontinence was reported as higher in women. older people are more likely to be affected, and the number of symptoms increases with age.