Incontinence is a health condition that many who experience it don't want to talk about, even with their doctors. Here at All About Incontinence we cannot repeat enough that Incontinence is nothing to be ashamed of and it is treatable, be it with drugs, surgery or natural remedies and treatments.

There are many natural ways to treat incontinence. Exercises, lifestyle changes and healthy diets can all help you regain control of your bladder, reducing and sometimes even zeroing incontinence episodes.

Here are our top 5 natural remedies for incontinence

1. Kegel Exercises: Probably one of the most famous incontinence treatments. Ideal for early stages of incontinence, post-surgery and after birth. But Kegels can also be performed by women who don't have incontinence to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles and increase their changes of not experiencing bladder weaknesses later in life.

2. Stay or Ger Fit: There are many studies that relate incontinence with excessive weight. Excess belly fat puts pressure on the bladder and the pelvic muscles. Shedding a few pounds if you are overweight can help restore your bladder control.

3. Bladder Training: A bit different from Kegel exercises. To train your bladder is rather simple but it requires patience. The secret is to learn how to control the urge to rush to the nearest toilet. In the beginning, try to delay urinating by 10 minutes and build up from there. Ideally you should increase the time till you can comfortably use the toilet every 4 hours. Keeping a bladder diary of your trips to the bathroom also helps keep track of your improvements.

4. Magnesium: Recent studies showed that the mineral reduced incontinence episodes in patients who took magnesium hydroxide pills twice a day. Some doctors believe that magnesium could relieve incontinence because it reduces bladder muscle spasms and allows the bladder to empty completely. These pills are not available on the market yet so you should include magnesium rich foods such as corn, potatoes and bananas in your diet.

5. Stay Hydrated: As controversial as it might sound, drinking enough water is vital to manage and avoid incontinence. If you don't stay hydrated, you may end up constipated, which can irritate the bladder and cause incontinence.

Bonus tip: Avoid drinks that contain caffeine as it is a diuretic substance that can contribute to bladder irritation and stimulate muscle contractions, which can both cause incontinence.

Only a professional trained in these symptoms can truly diagnose and treat your condition. A GP will often refer you to a specialized Continence Advisor for assessment to ensure you receive the right help and treatment to improve your symptoms.