The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
MSM
Posted by Jemima Puddleduck (Halifax, Nova Scotia) on 01/26/2013
★★★★★
After suffering terrible urinary incontinence for the past two years (I'm 51 years old and figured it was part of menopause since it started around the same time as hot flashes) a few weeks ago it suddenly stopped. I had been going through 3 or 4 of the most absorbent pads every day, leaking steadily while walking and sometimes while just standing. I was thrilled and puzzled when one day the leaking just stopped. It seemed to correlate with starting to take MSM for my chronic allergic rhinitis after reading an article about MSM and allergies (sneezing constantly when you have urinary incontinence is no fun! ). That is the only thing I am doing differently (my allergies are a lot better too). I have been doing kegels for years with little success and was about to look into surgery.
After wondering whether MSM was responsible for this wonderful effect, I thought I would do a search to see if there was any info on the web about MSM and incontinence and ended up at this wonderful site. Thought I would add my experience. I take 1000 mg two or three times per day (I try for 3 times but the bottle says not to take them at bedtime and I often forget that third dose). Also, I'm not sure if its related, but I've lost 5 pounds as well when, if anything, I should have gained weight based on the amount of "fattening" foods I've been eating!
Gluten-Free Diet
Posted by Cara (Miami, Fl, Us) on 01/22/2013
★★★★★
I completely cut gluten out of my diet and try to stay away from foods that are known bladder irritants and it is much improved. Try to cut out chocolate, citrus, alcohol, and DEFINITELY tomatoes. It takes a while for your system to completely get rid of all remnants of these foods in your system but wait it out its worth it! Good luck I hope this helps some people. I am blood type O positive for those of you out there who may be following the blood type diet.
Magnesium
Posted by Rachel (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire) on 07/19/2012
Hi there, read your comments re: supplements and magnesium. If you want to know why magnesium works for you compared to taking loads of vitamin pills look up IMVA particularly Mark Sircus book on Transdermal Magnesium Therapy. You will learn so much and it is sooooo interesting and helpful Be well and happy
Magnesium
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 07/16/2012
I have never heard of that. I take "therapeutic" or "effective" doses of just about everything (i.e. Sometimes several times over what the FDA will make people put on the bottle) and have never had that problem. I did notice that it improved after I had both my kids when I reduced my caffeine intake and weight. Be sure it isn't the tea/soda/coffee or other caffeinated drink you're taking the supplements with that isn't causing it.
Magnesium
Posted by Smithsurfermom (Huntington Beach, Ca) on 07/15/2012
I was having trouble with incontinence a few years ago and just chocked it up to getting older. I was even checking out Drs. who specialized in treating it when my friend said her Dr. told her taking too many vitamins can cause it. I immediately stopped taking most of my vitmains except magnesium & vitamin D which I was low in and I stopped having the problem. Recently I switched to a magnesium containing zinc and calcium, thinking I should start taking calcium again, and now I am having the same sudden urges and incontinence again! I'm tossing those pills out and going back to straight magnesium again! I'm thinking it is the calcium as I never took zinc before but I'm just going back to straight magnesium. I take 500 mg. 2x per day. I tried researching it but couldn't find anything that said this but it is sure true for me. I'm so glad my firend mentioned it to me when she did or I may have gone through some kind of extreme treatment to fix something that just adjusting my vitamin intake fixed. Go figure!
Magnesium
Posted by Viola (Hampton Bays, New York, Usa) on 04/25/2012
To Ravi from Alpharetta, Ga. -- what type of Magnesium do you use?
Kegel Exercises
Posted by Laniet (San Leandro, Ca, Usa) on 02/08/2012
Hi--first time commenting on this great site, not sure where to post this!
I inherited "have to pee" disease--runs (lol) in the female side of the family!
I am almost 60 and I used to walk a mile home from school. My friend and I would get the Have To Pee urge halfway home (we didn't have the sense to take care before we left school). So we'd tell ourselves we had to walk another HALF HOUR.
Somehow, the mind over matter thing works quite well!
I am laughing reading some of the accounts here--"key in the door" triggers it. I know that well!
I have flown quite a lot for business during my adult life. So now I use the scenario of the captain saying,
"Thank you for flying XXX Airlines. We are now on descent to XXX destination. Please turn up your tables and return your seat to the upright position. Fasten your seat belt. We will be on the ground in 25 minutes and will arrive at the gate shortly after that time."
I say this in my head when I get the Pee Pee Urge, "knowing" that it's a good 40 minutes before the bathroom.
It actually works! Fool the mind, avoid wet panties!
Magnesium
Posted by Ravi C (Alpharetta, Ga, Usa) on 01/10/2012
★★★★★
I had mild incontinence and taking magnesium (400 mg) twice a day really helped.
Parasite Cleanse, Buchu Leaves
Posted by Chloe (Providence, Rhode Island) on 12/31/2011
★★★★★
I believe that bacteria or parasites are at the root of many instances of incontinence.
My mild cases of a "loose bladder" were completely fixed after I've done some sort of parasite cleanse. (Grapefruit Seed Extract, Black Walnut, Cloves, Garlic, Wormwood, Oregano Oil, Garlic.... Many that you can try)
Also try Organic Buchu Leaves. Search for only organic buchu online...
MSM
Posted by Catherine (Wellington, New Zealand) on 05/04/2010
★★★★★
To Ted: Early this year I had a very bad UTI and ended up in hospital. Afterwards I had trouble with extreme urgency and thought that I would now have to rely on pads for the rest of my life. I had already been taking ACV regularly, so no obvious help there...However, a couple of weeks ago I started regularly taking MSM (500mg x 2 times daily).I was suprised on the second day after starting that I no longer had the "before and after" dripping problem. On the third day I was amazed at being able to hold on for 10 minutes instead of the usual 10 seconds. Since then I have had no real problems and no longer need to wear pads. I have an idea about why this worked for me but of course I have no proof, but perhaps the infection weakened my bladder (or kidneys) sufficiently to allow some opportunistic parasites to invade and the MSM killed them off. I would be interested in your thoughts on this. As ever Earth Clinic is a wonderful source of information and support.
Magnesium
Posted by Karen (Alpharetta, Georgia) on 01/17/2010
★★★★★
I noticed when I took a magnesium tablet that the next day I didn't have a problem with incontinence. Then I did some research on the web and found that researchers accidently found out magnesium supplements will sometimes stop incontinence in people over 50. I take a 400 mg tablet daily. It works! Nice!
Kegel Exercises
Posted by Nature (Portland, Maine) on 12/10/2009
★★★★★
Kegel exercises worked for me as well. I do them at night as a way to move into sleep. I do them for five seconds each and fifteen at a time as was recommended in a natural healing newsletter. I try to do this three times a day. If I wake up at night I do a set of three again. This kills two birds with one stone as I find it very relaxing and a great way to go back to sleep. This works for me!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Leslie (Los Angeles, Calif. USA) on 05/02/2009
★★★★★
Yea! I had begun using about 1 tsp organic, raw, apple cider vinegar 3x a day with a glass of water (about 12 oz) with a spoonful of raw honey and my energy and stamina have improved greatly. That's why I was using it and to see if it would help with weight control, and it seems to... then I read that it helped rid incontinence and I thought, huh, maybe it'll help me, but I didn't really believe it.
My boyfriend and I walk our dogs every afternoon in the park and until 3 days ago I had to stop once without fail to relieve myself. I am so excited and know that the vinegar treatment really works for me. My problem has plaiged me for about 5 years now and continued until just 3 days ago!
I also do home visits and I can't wait till I don't have to ask to use the bathroom on each visit!
Thanks for this website indeed!!!
Magnesium
Posted by Noris (San Antonio, TX) on 04/26/2009
I had this problem until I read about magnesium helping. I take any of the Magnesium and in no time (days) there is no more leakage.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Carmen (Irvington, NY, U.S.A) on 02/25/2009
★★★★★
My mother, now 81, suffered a number of strokes in 1995. As a result of this she became urine incontinent. She would soak her bed in urine at night. I read the anecdote of the father who gave his daughter ACV for bedwetting and thought it couldn't hurt to have my mom try it. She did, and within a few days she became free of this terrible condition. Almost three weeks later she is still able to get up at night to relieve herself in the toilet. My prayers of so many years have been granted. I thank and praise God for His abundant provision.
Kegel Exercises
Posted by C (VERO , FL) on 01/06/2009
Kegel Exercises
Posted by Aimee (New Brunswick, NJ, USA) on 01/05/2009
★★★★★
I started having problems with urgency and incontinence when I was about 23 years old. I couldn't believe it-- but it was very real and very hard to work around it. (when you gotta go- you gotta go-- then again, with incontinence- sometimes you just go!)
I went to a physical therapist and she taught me that there were certain triggers usually that led to these special moments. For example, when I put my keys in the door, I would immediately have to go, be jumping all around and it was a miracle if I made it to the bathroom in time. There were other triggers too.
She said I should try to start recognizing those triggers and use the kegel exercises in combination. So, approaching the door, I would start the exercises. (If you don't know how to do it, you just contract your muscles like as if you are trying to stop peeing.) I would hold the contraction for about 6 seconds then release and do it again, five more times. So, 6 seconds, 6 times. If I still had the urge to pee (which I did), I had to do the exercises again. Once I got into the bathroom (another trigger), I did it again. Sitting on the toilet, I did it again.
The point is to continue doing it until you have control over the moment. Once I felt like I could control when I actually went to the bathroom, I was allowed to go.
This worked so well for me. I was shocked at how quickly it worked as well. Within days I was noticing a major improvement and within weeks, it was hardly an issue. You have to be diligent though- if you still feel the urgency, do another round of exercises.
Every once in a while, I'll start to get that feeling again. I do the exercises and within a few days I am totally back in control.
Kegel Exercises
Posted by Marilyne (Tampa, FL) on 12/05/2008
★★★★★
RE: Incontinence - Kegels! I know, no one wants to do them - I know I certainly didn't. My GYN wanted me to have surgery for my bladder issues, and I figured I had nothing to lose. I started with 50 (yes, 50) a day and have progressed up to approx. 100. I don't lose urine when I cough or sneeze, laughter is still a little problem, but nothing like it was. I'm 53, and determined to stay out of depends. Iyt took about 3 months before I noticed a significant improvement - so hang in there. It sure beats surgical options.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Phyllis (Weldon, Calif. USA) on 12/04/2008
★★★★★
I have had urinary problems(incontenance) for about 6 months and tried several different herbs and also went to a naturopatic. The things they gave me didnt work. Then I found earthclinic and the apple cider vinigar columns. I started taking 2 tbsp. in the morning and 2 tbsp. at night. and what do you know, it cleared the problem up in 10 to 14 days. I used about 8 oz. of water and sweetned the vinigar solution with stevia powder. I have become addicted to it. I love the taste. Shortly after taking I do get a slight headache but it leaves in a very short time. Must be from a rush of nutrients .Thank you so much for your website and acv. Phyllis
