Natural relief for overactive bladder?

I was recently diagnosed with overactive bladder. My doctor recommended surgery or Botox injections, but both seem extreme to me. I’d prefer to try something natural first. What can you recommend?

You’re in good company. About 75 percent of people with overactive bladder (OAB)—a condition in which the bladder muscles involuntarily contract, leading to leaks—turn to complementary medicine for relief. And while surgery and Botox have both been shown to help ease the symptoms of OAB, I always recommend starting with natural strategies, like supplementing with pumpkin seed extract: In a small six-week study of women with OAB, those who did so experienced a 39 percent reduction in nighttime bathroom trips and a 16 percent reduction in daytime visits. We doctors aren’t sure exactly how pumpkin seed extract works, but it’s thought that it helps improve pelvicfloor health and allows the bladder to relax. One to try: Life Extension Pumpkin Seed Extract, LEF.org/FFW.

Additionally, many of my patients have reported improvement in OAB symptoms after incorporating Kegel exercises. To do: Contract the pelvicfloor muscles as though you’re trying to hold in urine midstream, then release; do 15 reps 3 times a day.

Bladder retraining, a process in which you gradually increase the time between bathroom visits, has also been shown to help. To do: Note every time you urinate for a day or two, figure out the average time between bathroom visits, then delay them by say, 15 minutes. Once you’ve successfully done so, increase your interval by another 15 minutes.

If these strategies don’t relieve your symptoms after a month, I suggest returning to your doctor for more options, such as acupuncture. Dry skin is common in menopause. The reason? Estrogen regulates the production of body oils, so when levels drop, it can lead to dryness and itching—especially on the thin, sensitive skin of the breasts. And the cold weather worsens the problem.

The good news: Once your hormones stabilize, the dryness and itch should subside. Until then, I suggest washing your bras in unscented detergent in case your symptoms are a reaction to your soap. Some of my patients find that applying sensitiveskin baby wipes eases itching. Also, try taking a nightly oatmeal bath. Oatmeal’s anti-inflammatory properties calm itching and its fats act as emollients to moisturize. To do: Pulse 1⁄3 cup of oatmeal in a food processor to make a fine powder, pour into lukewarm water and soak for 15 minutes, then apply a thick hypoallergenic moisturizer.