View All Overactive Bladder Articles

Treating Incontinence in Women: Lifestyle Changes and Kegels

Filed Under: Overactive Bladder

View More “Treatment” Articles (10)

UP NEXT ›› Treating Incontinence in Women: Medication

The best treatment for you will depend on the type of incontinence you have. Your symptoms, age, and any underlying problems that are found also affect your treatment.

How Lifestyle Changes May Help

  • Quitting smoking. Smoking can lead to a chronic cough that strains pelvic floor muscles. Smoking may also damage the bladder and urethra.

  • Losing weight. Excess weight puts extra pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. Exercising and eating right can help you lose weight. This helps other treatments work better.

  • Making certain diet changes. Some foods may make you need to urinate more, so it may be good to avoid them. These include caffeinated drinks and alcohol. Ask your doctor whether these or other diet changes might be helpful.

How Kegel Exercises Can Help

Kegel exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles act as a sling to help hold the bladder and urethra in place. These muscles also help keep the urethra closed. Weak pelvic floor muscles may allow urine to leak. To strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, do Kegel exercises daily. In a few months, the muscles will be stronger and tighter. This can help prevent urine leakage.

Last Annual Review Date: Jan 15, 2007 Copyright: © 2000-2010 The StayWell Company, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Filed Under: Overactive Bladder

View More “Treatment” Articles (10)

UP NEXT ›› Treating Incontinence in Women: Medication

You Might Also Like

Glossary of Overactive Bladder Terms

View All Terms
Anal Canal, BPH, Cystocele, Detrusor, Enterocele, Enuresis, Hypermobility, Interstitial Cystitis, Micturition, Nocturia, Pelvic, Prolapse, Pudendal Nerve, Rectocele, Sling, Sphincter, Urethrocele, Urgency, Urinary

Your Guide to Overactive Bladder

Expert Advice from Harvard Medical School
Who Do You See For Treatment? ›

Personalized HealthCoach Action Plans

Are you wondering how to better control your symptoms?

Take a health test to get on track.

Overactive Bladder Features

Did You Know?

View Source

Overactive bladder, or urge incontinence, can happen to men or women at any age, but it's more common in women and older people.

10 Questions For Your Doctor About OAB › Medication Options for Overactive Bladder ›

Related Conditions


Health News Today

Feed