Pelvic Floor Muscles

• Kegel exercises can help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and decrease leakage with an overactive bladder. Both men and women can perform these exercises during the day to increase control over these muscles.
  To pinpoint the muscles to use in the exercise, stop your urine flow the next time you urinate. The muscles that you use to stop your urine are the same muscles that you will be exercising. Contract the muscles and hold for four to five seconds. Release the muscles and rest for a couple of seconds. Repeat the exercise at least 10 times for one set. Do at least 10 sets of 10 each day for greater control over these muscles. Increase the number of exercises that you do in each set to go as high as 20.
  
  

Training the Bladder

• Schedule your urination breaks to train the bladder. It may take a few weeks for bladder training to take hold, but with time, your urge to urinate suddenly may diminish. The next time that you have a frequent urge to urinate, hold off for a few minutes before rushing to the bathroom. Begin with only a few minutes and gradually increase the delay time until you have a greater control over the urge to urinate. Use bladder training in conjunction with exercises to treat your overactive bladder.
  
  

Herbs

• An overactive bladder caused by a bladder infection may be treated with herbal remedies. Use these treatments under the guidance of your doctor. Herbal remedies are not regulated by the FDA and can interact negatively with some prescription medications.
  Herbs that increase the strength of the immune system help to ward off bladder infections and the symptoms of overactive bladder. Astragalus is an immunity booster as well as barberry. Use herbs that have a diuretic effect. A diuretic can help flush out the infection and remove the bladder infection. Use birch leaves and dandelion.
  These herbs are available in whole food and herb stores. You also can find these herbs online in supplement and dried form.