The bladder is the storage organ for urine. Overactive bladder can lead to the symptoms of urinary urgency, frequency, dribbling or unintended leaking as well as increased nighttime urination, according to a Smart Publications article. The most common reasons why the bladder can become overactive is due to weakened or hyperactive muscles as well as hormonal changes. The Smart Publications site notes that certain drugs, frequent constipation, obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia can also be causes. Natural products can be effective for overactive bladder but should be discussed with your doctor before use.
Herbs
Herbs that tend to support the nervous system, especially under conditions of nervous stimulation, also appear to help control an overactive bladder. The Natural Bladder website notes that herbs that can help to relax over-stimulated or spastic muscles can affect bladder muscle spasms or excessive bladder muscle contractions. The herbs useful for nourishing an overactive bladder were Valerian root and passionflower. The two herbs are often used in combination. The site notes that although studies have found Valerian to be free of side effects, Valerian also relaxes skeletal muscle as well and may have a general calming effect on the body. The site notes the use of another popular herb, Panax ginseng, for overactive bladder. This type of ginseng appears to relax the bladder muscle as well, but not through nervous system manipulation. Instead, Panax, which is known to provide energy, stamina and be a stress adaptogen, enhances the production of nitric oxide. The Natural Bladder website notes that nitric oxide and its precursor, L-arginine, encourage blood vessel and bladder sphincter dilation. Herbal medicines should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner before use.
Soy Isoflavones
In addition to being controlled by the autonomic nervous center, the bladder has receptors on it that respond to the presence of estrogen. The isoflavones in soy are known as phytoestrogens. The Smart Publication document notes that the estrogen regulating effects of soy can help reduce hormonally-induced overactive bladder symptoms. Phytoestrogens can stimulate estrogen receptors or sit on the receptors and inhibit high levels of natural estrogens from binding.
Overactive bladder syndrome is often experienced by older aged men and women. The connection, according to a Smart Publication document, is a declining level of estrogen in women during the menopausal years and a declining level of testosterone in men as they age, which causes the normally low levels of estrogen in men to appear dominating. Soy isoflavones stimulate the estrogen receptors in women, causing the muscles of the bladder to contract more normally. A 2009 British Journal of Urology article found that dietary soy isoflavone replacement in menopause-mimicked mice reduced overactivity of the bladder dutrusor muscles. In men, phytoestrogens block the stimulating effects of estrogen on the prostate, leading to decreased inflammation of the prostate gland and less irritation to the bladder. Any dietary changes should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner beforehand.
Pumpkin Seed Extract
Pumpkin seeds are a casual snack and a potent healer of bladder overactivity. Notably, a 2008 Life Extension Magazine article highlights the dual effects of this unassuming seed as helping to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that keep the bladder lifted and urinary tract sphincter functional and increasing nitric oxide production and resultant bladder relaxation.
The bladder, uterus in females, and colon are suspended in the pelvic area by another set of muscles, known as the perineal or pelvic muscles, as well as a network of connective tissue. Hormonal changes during menopause and andropause, which cause estrogen and testosterone levels to decline, cause the pelvic floor muscles to weaken and the urethra to shrink. Pumpkin seed increases the tissue building effects of testosterone on the pelvic floor muscles and helps reduce bladder spasticity by increasing the production of nitric oxide and the urinary sphincter muscle relaxation it allows for. To optimize absorption and effectiveness, the Life Extension Magazine specifically suggests a water-soluble form of the pumpkin seed extract. Any dietary changes should be discussed with your doctor beforehand.
Homeopathic Remedies
While the herbal remedies and the combination soy isoflavone-pumpkin seed treatment may take weeks to provide noticeable effects, the Austin Diagnostic Clinic of Urology notes that homeopathic medicines may offer immediate and symptomatic relief. They list the remedies that may offer relief to overactive bladder patients as causticum, Natrum muriaticum, pareira, sepia and zincum. Low doses are suggested for acute symptomatic relief. You should discuss the use of homeopathic remedies with your doctor.
References
- The Natural Bladder: Natural Herbal Alternatives for an Overactive Bladder
- Life Extension Magazine: "A Breakthrough in the Relief of Overactive Bladder and Urinary Incontinence"
- Smart Publications: "Take Control of Your Bladder Without Drugs"
- British Journal of Urology: "Dietary Soy Isoflavone replacement improves detrusor overactivity in the bladder"
- Urology--The Austin Diagnostic Center: Overactive Bladder
