Stress incontinence is the most common type of urinary incontinence. Loss of urine while sneezing, coughing or laughing is characteristic of this form of incontinence. Typically multiple pregnancies or aging in women can cause pelvic relaxation resulting in stress incontinence. Prostate surgery or trauma to the urethra can cause this condition in men. Urinary stress incontinence can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Alternative medicine is an appropriate first step in the treatment of urinary incontinence.
However, if the symptoms do not respond to natural therapies, the intervention of a conventional doctor may be necessary. The acupuncturist stimulates particular acupoints corresponding to the patient 's complaint by inserting fine needles under the skin. Biofeedback trains patients to consciously regulate biological processes which are usually involuntary or unconscious. Biofeedback has been shown to be particularly successful therapy in the treatment of urinary incontinence. Herbal Medicine offers remedies such as burdock, goldenseal , and cranberry which can be beneficial if the incontinence is related to urinary tract infection.