Conservative Treatments Category

Conservative Treatment

Welcome to the conservative treatments section where you can find a range of self-help measures that could help improve your bladder and/ or bowel condition.

Here you will find advice on:

  • Healthy eating and drinking for your bladder and bowel
  • Bladder and bowel training exercises
  • Pelvic floor muscle exercises
  • Choosing the right continence product
  • Conservative treatment advice specific to your condition

Conservative treatments are often the first method of treatment for a bladder and bowel condition. By making small adjustments to your diet, fluid intake, general exercise and lifestyle, you may find this will have a positive effect on your bladder or bowel condition.

Finding the right continence products to suit you can be confusing. This section will also cover some of the continence products available. If you would like further information and advice on continence products please speak to one of our helpful trained advisors at the Bladder and Bowel Home Delivery Service.

Please note that the information contained within these pages are a guide only. Your GP will be able to advise on the best methods of treatment for your condition. Please speak to your GP or Healthcare Practitioner before undertaking any of these treatments.

Intermittent Self Catheterisation

Intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) is used to treat bladders that do not empty fully. You will be taught how to insert a urinary catheter into your bladder by a health professional – this can be done in a hospital, clinic or at…

Diet And Lifestyle Changes

There are some general lifestyle changes that you could make which may help to alleviate your symptoms. As well as following a healthy diet, you should try to take some form of regular exercise.  If you have stress incontinence it may be…

Neuromuscular stimulation

In some cases, people can be helped with neuromuscular stimulation of the pelvic floor. Both men and women can try this treatment. A probe is placed in the vagina (for women) or back passage (for men). The probe carries an electrical…

Tibial Nerve Stimulation

PTNS - Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation is indicated in Overactive Bladder (OAB) problems where symptoms of urinary urgency, urinary frequency and urge incontinence have been difficult to resolve by other treatments. Percutaneous…

Vaginal Lubricants

Vaginal dryness, soreness, itching and painful sex can sometimes be symptoms of the menopause. Without the production of oestrogen by the ovaries, the skin and support tissues of the vulva ("lips") and vagina become thin and less…

watchful waiting

Watchful waiting refers to seeing whether symptoms progress, stay the same or clear on their own before undergoing medical or surgical treatment. Watchful waiting is a phrase that is used in reference to urology conditions including…