Urinary incontinence affects more than 13 million people in the United States and is most common in elderly women, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It may be caused by a number of factors, including stretched or weak pelvic muscles, recurrent urinary tract infections and obesity. If you suffer from urinary incontinence, you may need drugs to help control the muscles involved in urination. In some cases, surgery, catheters or urethral plugs may be employed. Some herbs may help to alleviate urinary incontinence but evidence to prove that they are effective is limited. Talk to your doctor before using them.
St. John's Wort
The University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC, notes that St. John's wort may help to alleviate urinary incontinence. An animal study by R. Capasso et al. published in the July 2004 issue of "Urology" found that St. John's wort may lessen urinary incontinence symptoms by inhibiting bladder contractility. Primarily used as a treatment for depression, St John's wort may cause side effects including dry mouth, dizziness and fatigue. It also interacts with a large number of other medicines, so get medical advice before taking it.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto may improve male urinary incontinence often associated with prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer and prostatitis, according to UMMC. RxList notes that saw palmetto is safe for most people, but side effects may include dizziness, nausea and constipation. It may also increase the risk of bleeding, so do not take it if you are using anticoagulants or if you have a bleeding disorder. Like St. John's wort, it may interact with other drugs, so get medical clearance before using it.
Green Tea
UMMC suggests that gree tea may provide relief from symptoms of urinary incontinence, but evidence to prove that it is effective for this condition is lacking. MedlinePlus notes that green tea is safe for most adults, but as it contains caffeine, drinking more than five cups a day may cause side effects including tremor, nausea, headache and diarrhea. Although green tea is a popular beverage, it is not suitable for everyone. For example, people with a heart condition or high blood pressure should not use this herb.
Considerations
UMMC notes that exercise and behavioral therapies are the most successful treatments for urinary incontinence, and adds that pelvic floor and kegel exercises will help to strengthen muscles that control urination. Acupuncture and hypnosis may also help you to improve bladder control.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Urinary Incontinence
- PubMed: Inhibitory Effect of the Antidepressant St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) on Rat Bladder Contractility in Vitro
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: St. John's Wort
- RxList: Saw Palmetto
- MedlinePlus: Green Tea
