Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Garnet161 on September 26, 2024, 03:56:19 AM
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I feel like I am posting a lot, but this is all rather new to me!
Has anyone tried pumpkin seed oil for bladder urging/incontinence? I have seen a couple of new products on the market for bladder control - the reviews are largely positive, but no one has really mentioned use during menopause or with VA. I am using Ovestin and estrogen/progesterone topical creams.
For about a week each month, I get the overactive bladder from hell. Whilst there is plenty of urine there, I am going every hour most afternoons with some urge incontinence. The urine doesn't actually come out, but the bladder urges like it wants to push urine out.
I suspect this week probably coincides with a hormone fluctuation (I am only 18 months since last period and 49 years old).
Which was why I was curious if anyone had success with pumpkin seed oil.
Thanks.
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U could have continued on your other thread ;-) - how would pumpkin seed oil help? Is it a capsule to swallow?
If this is cyclical then it's likely to be hormonal. How often are U using the VA treatment?
I found that my bowels altered in the 7-10 days prior to a period, in various ways. Normal for me and my bladder would join in to.
When my VA niggles I swallow two Nurofen capsules which helps calm feelings down. It's a bit Trial and Error!
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Yes, pumpkin seed oil is mostly sold in capsules now. There have been excellent results with it calming the bladder and reducing urination urging and frequency (reviews by users).
We have various brands here in Australia now.
Still nightly with the Ovestin and experiencing the fun of hormone ups and downs. 7-10 days of rampant symptoms and yes, bowels too. Then things calm for 2 and a half weeks or so.
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Here in UK pumpkin seed oil isn't quite as "mainstream" as a supplement as in AU. (Nor do we have testosterone formulated for women, we are so backward in a lot of things >:( )
We do have a relatively new - or newly popularised due to an appearance on Dragons Den - product from a company called Jude. Its a supplement promoted for bladder care with pumpkin seed extract as one of its major ingredients. I've only glanced at their website but there do seem to be references to scientific research so it might be worth you taking a look to see if there is anything relating to menopausal bladders. I did see mention of women over 50, think this was an article rather than research though. Website is www.wearejude.com
Good luck in your quest to tame your bladder!
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U could have continued on your other thread ;-)
I actually prefer it when separate threads are made for new/different subjects. It makes them easier to see if it's a subject that interests you when scrolling through and keeps answers relative to that particular subject rather than to the wider, more generic original subject.
Appreciate we are all different!
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Thank you Suzie!
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The Jude brand is super expensive. You can purchase products with the same ingredients on Amazon for much less including Pumpkin seed oil which by coincidence I've just started to take. I think a lot of women's bladder issues are probably due to many of us having at least a degree of bladder prolapse, especially as we get older with oestrogen loss and weaker muscles etc.
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How does the product work?
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I've not tried it myself, but is suppose to be good for bladder problems, including urge.
As mentioned above, Jude has good reviews, perhaps email them with any questions you have, they are really good, although unsure if they ship to Australia.
There are quite a lot of pumpkin seed oil products, look at reviews. Another one, much cheaper than Jude, is NOW, but this doesn't contain soy like Jude does.
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I'd be interested to try the oil supplement, Garnet. I'm 3 months into testosterone which has really helped but if in another 6 months things are not as I'd like, I'll give it a go. My bladder is infamous among my family and friends!
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There's a supplement called Go Less by Healthspan. To me the ingredients look the same as in Jude and it's quite a bit cheaper.
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Let us know how you get on.
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I tried Jude for six months and experienced no improvement in my leaky bladder symptoms. I was really disappointed as the reviews look great.
In recent weeks I have been making a real effort to do my pelvic floor exercises daily, limit fizzy drinks when I am out and about and also make sure I don't let myself get too desperate for the loo whilst out obvs..... I do think these things have helped a little.
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There is a lady urologist in the US (Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists) who's made a number of videos on YouTube and she recommends applying a pea sized amount of topical oestrogen cream to the urethra and surrounding area rather than inserting the cream high into the vagina.
She prescribes this for her patients twice a week from start of symptoms to be continued for life.
A slightly different approach but interesting and perhaps worth a try if you already use oestrogen cream.
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Tnx for that. I do both .
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There is a lady urologist in the US (Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists) who's made a number of videos on YouTube and she recommends applying a pea sized amount of topical oestrogen cream to the urethra and surrounding area rather than inserting the cream high into the vagina
Please don't laugh but I'd have to Google exactly where the urethra is before I try that!!
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I know where mine should be but have never found it, though the very nice nurse with a catheter had no problems - after appendiscetomy many years ago [long story short]