Home Treatment

In many cases, behavioral changes, including changes to your diet, lifestyle, and urinary habits, can be enough to control urinary incontinence.

The following changes to diet and lifestyle may help reduce incontinence:

• Reduce or eliminate caffeinated and carbonated drinks—such as coffee, tea, and soda pop—from your diet.
• Do not drink more than one alcohol drink a day.
• Try to identify any foods that might irritate your bladder—including citrus fruits, chocolate, tomatoes, vinegars, spicy foods, dairy products, and aspartame—and eat less of those foods.
• If you smoke, quit. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
• If constipation is a problem, increase the amount of fiber in your diet. You can do this easily by adding a small amount of wheat bran, even a spoonful, to dishes you normally eat. See your doctor if your constipation continues. For more information, see the Home Treatment section of the topic Constipation, Age 12 and Older.
• If you are overweight, try to lose some weight. Remember that effective weight-loss programs depend on a combination of diet and exercise. For more information, see the topics Weight Management and Fitness.
• Try pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles.

The following changes to urinary habits may help reduce incontinence:

• Establish a schedule of urinating every 3 to 4 hours, regardless of whether you feel the need.
• Practice “double voiding” by urinating as much as possible, relaxing for a few moments, and then urinating again.
• If you have trouble reaching the bathroom before you urinate, consider making a clearer, quicker path to the bathroom and wearing clothes that are easily removed (such as those with elastic waistbands or Velcro closures), or keep a urinal close to your bed or chair.

Talk with your doctor about all medicines you take, including nonprescription medicines, to see whether any of them may be making your incontinence worse. Medicines that may cause urinary incontinence in men include certain antidepressants, sedatives, and even some allergy and cold medicines.