Urinary incontinence is a condition that strikes a number of persons, not just people in their sixties and older. While the condition can be a source of embarrassment and may eventually cause the individual to curtail his or her social life, there are a number of things that can be done to minimize and possibly even reverse the condition. Home remedies for urinary incontinence have been around for a long time, and may hold the key to correcting the problem. Here are some examples of home remedies for urinary incontinence that can be tried at home.

In days gone buy, urinary incontinence was sometimes referred to as "slippage." The problem would often manifest itself after a man or woman had gained a significant amount of weight. The extra poundage around the middle would put additional pressure on the bladder. In turn, pelvic muscles that may be weaker due to lack of regular exercise would not be able to provide adequate support for the bladder. The result was a sudden sense of needing to urinate, followed by a flow of urine. Home remedies for urinary incontinence that was a result of weight gain involved a combination of losing weight and also walking for thirty minutes in the evenings to tone the midsection and strengthen the pelvic muscles.

For women who experience incontinence after childbirth or men who have the problem after prostate surgery, home remedies for incontinence may involve strengthening of the pelvic muscles by performing kegel exercises. Kegels are an example of home remedies for urinary incontinence that can be performed in any setting, without anyone being aware of what is happening. Focusing on the muscles that both men and women use to start and stop the flow of urine, squeeze those muscles together tightly, hold for a count of ten, and then release. Repeat the process, gradually working up to fifty repetitions. A round of kegels can be done while sitting at a desk at work or while watching television at home. Since the squeezing and releasing is being done under the clothing, no one has to know. Performing several rounds of fifty kegels per day will yield some great results in a couple of months.

Herbs are another example of home remedies for urinary incontinence. Devil’s claw is an herb that is meant to help strengthen the bladder, making it easier to retain urine until voluntary release. Parsley, St. John’s Wart, and Skullcap are all supposed to have properties that help to ease nervous tension, which may be a root cause of the incontinence. Dandelion is understood by herbalists to strengthen the kidneys, helping them to function more efficiently. Herbal combinations have served as home remedies for urinary incontinence in a number of cultures, and still play a prominent role in a number of countries around the world.

Home remedies for urinary incontinence may alleviate the problem, but it is important to try them with the knowledge and consent of a qualified physician, in order to avoid potential problems. For example, herbs used for home remedies for urinary incontinence may interfere with any prescription medication the individual is currently taking. A doctor will be able to determine if the herbs under consideration have any properties that would create an adverse effect for the patient. With the physician’s permission, the use of home remedies for urinary incontinence may be all that is needed to control the problem.