Overactive bladder can be embarrassing and may negatively affect activities of daily life, but there are treatments and medications available to help control symptoms. The Mayo Clinic describes overactive bladder as a problem with bladder storage that causes a sudden urge to urinate. It may lead to some involuntary urine leakage. Several herbal supplements have been helpful in alleviating symptoms of overactive bladder, but they may interact with medications or certain medical conditions. Prior to taking any supplements for the condition, consult a health-care professional to avoid adverse effects.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is an herb used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, which is an enlargement of the prostate. BPH can cause urinary urgency and frequency because the prostate presses on the urethra in men, causing symptoms of overactive bladder. Saw palmetto helps reduce inflammation, although it can take up to 30 days to become effective, says Drugs.com. It is typically taken with food or milk, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take the supplement. Side effects are rare but can include back or stomach pain, constipation, cramping, diarrhea, impotence and difficulty urinating, says Drugs.com. Prior to taking saw palmetto for overactive bladder symptoms related to BPH, consult a health-care professional about the risks and benefits of the supplement and to prevent any adverse medication interactions.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort, also called Hypericum perforatum, is an herbal supplement that may be used to help treat urinary incontinence, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It has numerous health properties, including antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used to treat mild or moderate depression but can be used for a variety of ailments. Side effects can include stomach upset, skin rash, restlessness, dry mouth and dizziness, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. This supplement can interfere with many medications, so check with a health-care professional prior to consuming the herb.
Panax Ginseng
Panax ginseng originates in Eastern Asia and has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It may also be called Asian ginseng. According to a study published in the "Journal of Sexual Medicine," Korean red ginseng, a type of Panax ginseng, helped relax the vaginal muscles in rabbits. It is thought that ginseng relaxes the bladder muscle, which helps reduce urgency symptoms associated with overactive bladder. Side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, vaginal bleeding and fluctuations in blood pressure, as listed in "American Family Physician." It may interact with several medications and insulin, and a health-care professional should be consulted to avoid interactions.
Valerian
Valerian, or Valeriana officianalis, is often used to treat insomnia and nerves but also has beneficial effects on the bladder. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements states that valerian aids in relaxing smooth and skeletal muscles and has been used in treating gastrointestinal muscle spasms and seizures, although more research needs to be done. Drugs.com says that one of the uses of valerian is as a muscle relaxant for uterine spasticity and stomach cramps. For overactive bladder, valerian can help relax the bladder muscles and reduce the spasms that create urinary urgency. Side effects can include nausea, headaches, dizziness and gastrointestinal problems, states the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
References
- Drugs.com: Saw Palmetto
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Urinary Incontinence
- University of Maryland Medical Center: St. John's Wort
- Mayo Clinic: Overactive Bladder
- Journal of Sexual Medicine: The Effect of Korean Red Ginseng Extract on the Relaxation Response in Isolated Rabbit Vaginal Tissue and Its Mechanism
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Panax Ginseng
