In this article, we discuss 7 natural remedies for urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.
Urinary incontinence affects millions of men and women worldwide. Prescription medications and surgery can help provide some relief, but many people don’t find these treatments effective or don’t want to deal with the side effects.
In most cases, it’s best to look for less invasive therapy and alternative treatments before resorting to more extreme measures such as powerful prescription drugs or surgery.
Natural remedies for urinary incontinence and overactive bladder have been practiced for thousands of years, and more advanced methods have been developed in recent years.
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Here are 7 natural remedies for urinary incontinence and overactive bladder:
- Dietary Changes
- Pelvic Exercises
- Herbal Medicine
- Acupuncture
- Biofeedback
- Yoga
- Meditation
1. Diet for Incontinence
Your diet can also play a role in incontinence prevention, but it’s not so much about what you eat as it is about what you don’t eat. Reduce your intake of:
- Caffeinated beverages
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
- Citrus fruits
- Dairy products
- Sweeteners (including natural sweeteners like sugar and honey)
Foods and beverages to include:
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- Whole grains
- Vegetables
- Non-citrus fruits
- Legumes
- Fruit juices
Cranberry, grape, and apple juices are a great addition to your diet, but be careful about the sugar content.
Don’t add sugar to apple and grape juices, and dilute them with water, as these juices contain naturally high amounts of sugar.
Dehydration is almost as bad as incontinence. Too little water can cause your urine to become concentrated with toxins, which can irritate your bladder further and increase your risk of urinary tract infection.
Losing fluids is a common symptom of urinary infection, but it’s important to remember that cutting back on fluids isn’t good for your health. In fact, it’s actually counterproductive.
If bacteria or toxins are causing inflammation or irritation in your urinary tract or kidneys, then you’ll want to drink more fluids to flush them out and improve your condition. Don’t forget to drink fluids!
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2. Pelvic Exercises For Incontinence
Urination is a muscle action. When your pelvic floor muscles are too weak and thin to control your bladder, that’s when you’ll experience incontinence!
The muscles that control your bladder need to be targeted and strengthened specifically if you want long-term relief from bladder control.
But bladder control isn’t just about muscle strength. It’s about balanced strength. A lot of people do abdominal exercises every single day.
That’s great for your 6-pack, but if you don’t balance out your abdominal work with your lower-back work, you’ll end up with back injuries.
The same is true for a runner. They’ll build tremendous hamstring strength, but neglect to focus on their quadriceps at the front of their thigh.
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Kegels aren’t the only part of the solution, though. According to our expert, when you do Kegels, you’re pulling your sacrum forward.
But you’re also pulling your glutes back. You need to counterbalance that action by strengthening your glutes. Deep squats are one of the best exercises for your butt muscles.
3. Herbal Remedies for Urinary Incontinence and Overactive Bladder
It’s not because herbal remedies don’t work. It’s because there simply aren’t enough scientific studies to prove their effectiveness.
However, many modern anecdotal reports – combined with hundreds of years of traditional use – would suggest that natural remedies, such as herbal medicine, have worked for many people in the past.
Don’t assume that herbal remedies are good for you just because they come from a plant.
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It’s always a good idea to buy products from trusted companies, and it’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting any herbal treatments, especially if you’re taking other medications.
Commonly used herbal remedies include:
- Buchu
- Cornsilk
- Cleavers
- Gosha-Jinki-Gan
- Saw Palmetto
- Pumpkin Seed extract.
Buchu
Buchu (also known as bucco, diosma, bookoo, bucku) is a traditional African plant used to treat UTIs, bloating, and kidney stones in both men and women.
It is also used to improve urinary bladder control and improve prostate health.
There are several varieties of bucco with different leaf shapes, but all of them have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, first in Africa by the tribe of Hottentot, then in Europe in the 19th century.
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Buchu should never be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Also, consult your doctor if you are diagnosed with a kidney infection or taking blood thinners as there may be complications. Always take bucco or bucco extract with food and lots of water.
Corn Silk
The term “corn silk” refers to the silvery fibers that extend from the top of the ear of corn. They are used to help reduce inflammation or irritation in the bladder and urinary tract tissues.
Corn silk is sometimes used in conjunction with other herbal remedies like plantain leaves and St. John’s Wort. It can also be taken as a pill or infused tea.
A natural diuretic, corn silk helps to slowly flush toxins, bacteria, and other harmful substances out of the kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract.
The effects of corn silk are subtle, so you may need to use it daily for a few weeks or even months to get the full benefits.
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Because corn silk is gentle on the body, it is often considered a safe remedy for children and the elderly.
Cleavers
Aparine Gallium Cleavers (also known as Goosegrass, Stickyweed, and Sticky Willow) are used for a variety of herbal remedies. They can be used as a skin toner, coffee substitute, and more.
For our purposes, Cleavers can also be used to treat bladder problems. Cleavers can be used in conjunction with uva-uris or marshmallow root to treat bladder infections or urinary incontinence.
Gosha Jinki Gan
This Japanese incontinence treatment is made up of a mix of at least 10 different herbs.
It’s used in traditional Japanese medicine to treat incontinence and has been found to be pretty effective.
Studies in Japan have shown that it can help reduce symptoms and improve bladder control.
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Saw Palmetto
Clinical trials in the United States have shown mixed results when it comes to the treatment of urinary problems.
A study conducted by UIC Medical Center found significant improvement in urinary tract problems in men.
However, other studies – like the one below from the NIH (published in JAMA – did not find a significant difference in results between placebo and saw Palmetto.
Despite these mixed results, saw Palmetto continues to be one of the top herbal remedies available on the market.
There are numerous anecdotal reports that praise the effectiveness of saw Palmetto for bladder control.
Pumpkin Seed Oil/Extract
Pumpkin seed has also been used in the fight against Uniquity of Interest (UI) and Obedness of Origin (OB). Since we have written extensively about pumpkin seeds in the fight against UI/OB.
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4. Acupuncture for Incontinence
In two studies published in 2005 and 2009 respectively, women treated with acupuncture reported improved bladder control and fewer daytime accidents.
In a study published in 2009, women treated with a placebo treatment reported similar results as those with acupuncture.
In 2013, a review of 17 studies was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture versus drug therapies for urinary incontinence treatment.
One study, in particular, caught the researchers’ eye. In the Chinese study, Wang Y et al treated 60 women with either acupuncture or midodrine.
Although neither treatment cured the woman of her incontinence, researchers noted that the acupuncture group improved symptoms significantly (73%) compared to midodrine (33%).
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5. Biofeedback for Incontinence
Biofeedback isn’t a treatment in and of itself. Instead, it’s a way to measure the performance and efficacy of other treatments, especially exercise.
As an incontinence natural remedy, it uses biofeedback electrodes and biofeedback computers to help you figure out how to exercise your pelvic floor muscles correctly, so you can better control your bladder.
You don’t usually need to buy equipment to perform biofeedback sessions at home. With just a few well-taken sessions, you can get the results you’re looking for.
For example, UC San Francisco offers biofeedback sessions to the general public, and most health insurance plans cover the cost.
6. Yoga for Incontinence
Both yoga and kegel exercises thicken and strengthen the muscles in the pelvic floor, which helps with bladder control.
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Yoga practitioners have reported improved bladder control through the regular practice of the “Chair Pose” (Utkatasana) and a lesser-known exercise called “Mula Bandha” (sometimes spelled “Moola Bandha”).
Both, like Kegels, thicken and strengthen pelvic floor muscles, which help with bladder control.
While the thickening and strengthening of pelvic muscles that yoga and Kegel provide is more effective for stress-related issues than urge-related issues, both have some benefits.
7. Meditation for Incontinence
In 2009, Loyola University researchers conducted a study in which women with incontinence listened to audio meditation exercises twice a week, even without guided poses.
Listening to audio recordings and doing relaxation and visualization exercises in the program led to a reduction in urinary accidents from 38 to 12 times per week.
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The 2009 study only looked at 10 elderly patients. Loyola began recruiting subjects in 2014 for a new study to replicate and extend the results of the 2009 study.
FAQs Related To 7 Natural Remedies for Urinary Incontinence and Overactive Bladder
How can I stop my overactive bladder naturally?
- It is important to manage your fluid intake
- Scheduled and delayed urination.
- The double-void technique.
- Kegel contraction.
- Quit smoking.
- Talk to your doctor about medications.
What herb is good for urinary incontinence?
Mullein
What’s the best home remedy for bladder control?
Bladder training is a lifestyle and home remedy that teaches you how to delay urinating every time you feel the urge. It also teaches you how to schedule toilet trips.
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This is done by going to the bathroom according to the time, rather than waiting for the urge.
Other lifestyle and home remedies include fluid and diet management, and pelvic floor muscle exercises.
How I cured my overactive bladder?
Kegels work to strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor and urinary bladder.
These muscles help to prevent the bladder from contracting. Learn how to do Kegel exercises with your doctor or physical therapist.
What are 5 foods for an overactive bladder?
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- Bananas
- Apple
- Apples
- Grape
- Coconut
- Watermelon
- Vegetables
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Cucumber
- Squash
- Potatoes
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Celery
- Bell peppers
- Whole grains
- Oats
- Barley
- Farro
- Quinoa
Is there a permanent cure for overactive bladder?
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There’s no permanent cure for overactive bladder
How I cured my urinary incontinence?
- Do pelvic floor exercises every day
- Stop smoking
- Do proper pelvic floor exercises
- Avoid lifting
- Lose extra weight
- Treat your constipation promptly
- Reduce your intake of caffeine
- Decrease your intake of alcohol
How can I permanently fix incontinence?
Vaginal mesh surgery
Can incontinence be cured naturally?
Incontinence is one of the most common health conditions affecting your body and mind.
Depending on your type of incontinence, some incontinence treatments may include natural and home remedies, such as bladder training and pelvic floor exercises. Others may involve weight loss and dietary supplements.
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What is the best natural antibiotic for the bladder?
Oregano oil, d-manose, raw garlic, apple cider vinegar, no processed sugar, cranberries, lemon essential oil, vitamin C.
What is the strongest medication for an overactive bladder?
Oxytrol for Women is the only OTC medication approved for Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB).
Other prescription OAB medications include Anticholinergics and beta-3 Adrenergic Agonists. There are many ways to reduce the cost of your OAB medications.
What is the root cause of an overactive bladder?
The most common cause of an overactive bladder is an overdeveloped detrusor muscle. Other causes that can cause an overactive bladder include:
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- Abdominal trauma
- Pelvic trauma
- Surgery
Is onion good for an overactive bladder?
The main culprits are raw onions, so cooking them prior to consumption could help mitigate the adverse effects they may have on your bladder.
What foods heal the bladder?
Cranberry and cranberries juice are both great for bladder health
What is the best drink for the bladder?
Water
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A Word From GetMe Treated
It’s interesting to note that not only have all of these 7 natural remedies for urinary incontinence and overactive bladder produced measurable results but even practitioners who were put in the placebo group (as was done in a 2009 acupuncture study, for example) reported improvements.
What does this mean?
If you’re looking for a solution to your incontinence problem, you’ll need to do something — anything. Simply being proactive about your problem becomes a beacon of hope.
If you really want to get your bladder under control, then you need to trust that there is a solution, and you need to take action. Ignoring it won’t get you anywhere.
Medication and surgery aren’t the only treatments for incontinence. Many men and women find natural solutions to their incontinence problems effective as well, often without any adverse side effects.
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If your past treatments haven’t worked or haven’t been successful, talk to your doctor about the types of natural remedies you’d like to try and see how they might help you find the long-term answers you’re looking for.