You know that you leak urine, but do you know how bad your urinary incontinence really is?

Are you a dribbler or does your leakage resemble Niagara Falls?

There is a simple way you can find out. It's called "The Pee Test." That's a pretty scientific name, isn't it? Maybe not, but nevertheless it's an effective test that helps you discover the strength of your pelvic floor muscles ... and the seriousness of your urine leakage problem.

The Pee Test
Are you ready to find out what is up down there with your urine leakage? Here's the pee test:

1. Be sure that you need to urinate before taking this test.
2. Seat yourself comfortably on the toilet.
3. Start urinating and, after one or two seconds, attempt to completely stop the flow of urine

How easily were you able to stop the flow of urine? Were you able to stop the flow completely, or did you achieve more of a dribble? This gives you an initial idea of the strength of your pelvic floor muscles.

Want to know more? Check out our free "What's Up Down There" ebook, which will give you even more self-tests, as well as teach you how to strengthen your muscles "down there."

Download the ebook here.

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As odd as it may seem, capsaicin, the active component of chili peppers, may actually help some women with their urinary incontinence symptoms. This is odd because women suffering from urinary leakage are told to stay away from spicy foods ... and that is good advice.

However, recent studies show that capsaicin can actually help urinary leakage symptoms by desensitizing certain bladder nerves. This in turn reduces involuntary bladder leakage and, in some women, has been shown to increase bladder capacity.

That's the good news. The bad news is that capsaicin, which is administered directly into the bladder, can actually worsen bladder and urine leakage symptoms temporarily. Luckily, there is a capsaicin analog called resiniferatoxin, which does not cause the same irritating response while still producing the same positive effects.

The use of capsaicin and its analog are still in the experimental phases of study, but you never know if and when it could become yet another conservative therapy that may help you deal with your women's urinary incontinence symptoms.

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Maybe.

It depends on the color of your urine. Most of the time, urine is yellow, which is natural. Urine gets its yellow color from a pigment called urochrome, and the color can range from pale yellow to dark amber.

Pale Yellow Urine
When your urine is pale yellow, it could mean that you are drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated. Diuretic drugs can also cause your urine to be pale, since these drugs force extra water out of your system, diluting the color of the urine in the process.

Dark Amber Urine
Dark urine is usually a sign that you are dehydrated, and not drinking enough fluid. Says Dr. Tomas Griebling, M.D., of the urology department at the University of Kansas, "Your body needs a certain amount of fluid to function, so the body will hold on to the fluid and the urine will become very strong and concentrated. When that happens, it will turn a darker color."

If your urine us dark in color, drink up! Women normally need between four and nine cups of water daily to stay hydrated. If you suffer from nighttime wetting accidents, limit your water intake after 6 pm.

Red Urine
If your urine has a reddish color, it usually means that you have blood in the urine. There is no need panic, since even a single drop of blood in the urine can turn the entire toilet bowl red. However, blood in the urine is a something that you should talk about with your doctor, since it can be a sign of infection or cancer.

Various Rainbow Colors
What if your urine is blue, green, or orange? It can happen, depending on your diet or your drug regimen. For instance, certain drugs can change the color of urine blue or green, while carrots can color your urine orange.

So Now You Know ...
Hopefully after reading this article you know a little more about what is up down there, especially if you look in the toilet after you urinate. While this information may not be the subject of cocktail party conversation, it is nevertheless knowledge that empowers you to be your own best healthcare advocate. And that's what we are all about: arming you with the knowledge you need to take care of yourself and your health!

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With the array of herbal and botanical formulas on the market today for women's urinary incontinence, there is a strong temptation to "go natural."

After all, what could be better than using products from nature to deal with women's urinary incontinence?

There is certainly nothing wrong with using herbs and other natural products. The question is whether these products actually help with urine leakage symptoms, or simply are a waste of time and money.

The best way to discover the effectiveness of herbal products for improving urinary leakage issues to read scientific peer-reviewed studies of the products. Here are just a few products that have been reviewed by the scientific community, as opposed to simply tested by "in-house" teams employed by the companies that make the products.

A Review of 5 Natural Products for Women's Urinary Incontinence
Some of the more common natural products that have been touted for improving urinary incontinence symptoms include pumpkin seeds, cornsilk, buchu, bromelain, and magnesium. Let's see how these products act to improve women's urinary incontinence.

#1: Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds have actually been under significant clinical investigation for treating urinary incontinence. Studies have shown that certain ingredients in pumpkin seeds, including essential fatty acids and compounds like "phytoesterol," do support a woman's bladder, especially after menopause. In fact, in one study 75% of postmenopausal women taking pumpkin seeds achieved better bladder control after six weeks.

#2: Cornsilk
Corksilks are the long silky fibers found at the top of an ear of corn. High in flavonoids and polyphenols, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties, cornsilk is believed to reduce inflammation in the bladder. As a result, some women experience a reduced urge to urinate, especially if their urine leakage is related to inflammation.

#3: Buchu
Many herbalists currently prescribe this South American herb for recurring urinary tract infections and overall bladder health. Many doctors point out that urine leakage issues are often related to bladder inflammation, or even mild infections. Even mild inflammation of the bladder can cause a continuous urge to urinate and prevent you from completely emptying your bladder. Since buchu has mild antiseptic properties, it is believed that this herb prevents inflammation.

#4: Bromelain
Bromelain comes from the pineapple plant, and is commonly known to be an anti-inflammatory. As with some of the other herbs mentioned in this article, bromelain is believed to have a healing effect on bladder inflammation.

#5: Magnesium
Athletes know that magnesium is essential to muscle health, and studies indicate that people with Parkinson's disease find relief from urine leakage symptoms when taking this supplement. Doctors also recognize that magnesium may be useful in controlling bladder spasms, which can cause incomplete emptying of the bladder. In addition, some women find that taking magnesium before bedtime can relieve nighttime wetting issues.

If you suffer from women's urine incontinence, exploring all your options are key to finding relief. This can include the natural remedies mentioned in this article, medication, physical therapy, acupuncture, and even surgery. The point is that not all solutions work for all women, but there is a solution out there for your urinary incontinence issues. Keep looking until you find a solution that works for you!

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Get this:

According to a 2001 Harris survey of folks with overactive bladders (also called urge urinary incontinence), about fifty percent were sexually active … and about two-thirds of those people reported that urine leakage got in the way of their sex lives!

Of course, this isn't all that surprising. Sexual activity can irritate the bladder, which can cause urine leakage. That can be a real show-stopper!

Says Melody Denson, MD, a board-certified urologist with the Urology Team in Austin, Texas, "When you're being intimate, you're used to secretions and moistness, but the thought that it's actually urine leakage is really upsetting and uncomfortable."

How to Have Good Sex Despite Urinary Incontinence
The truth of the matter is that women with urinary incontinence can (and should) have good sex. Good sex just takes a little more preparation.

1. Do Your Kegels
Not only do Kegels, which are pelvic muscle floor contractions, keep urine where it belongs during sex, but these exercises can also enhance your sexual experience in other ways. Kegels are simple to do. The trick is remembering to do them … regularly! If you are not sure how to do a Kegel correctly, or how to integrate these simple exercises into your daily routine, read our free ebook on the subject. It's called "What's Up Down There?" and it covers the basics, plus helps you with troubleshooting.

2. Skip the Wine and Other Bladder Irritants
While wine may sound like the perfect accompaniment to a romantic dinner, it can also ruin an intimate moment after dinner. Wine can irritate the bladder, which can cause urine leakage. To prevent urine leakage, stay away from all bladder irritating foods and drinks, such as caffeinated beverages, acidic foods, and spicy dishes. Get a more complete list of bladder-irritating foods and drinks HERE.

3. Be Ready
Getting ready for intimacy without urine leakage means taking the same steps as avoiding urine leakage at night. Limit fluid intake a few hours before and practice double voiding. And if you haven't had "the talk" about urinary incontinence with your partner, take the time to do so before getting intimate. It will save both you embarrassment later. Not sure how to talk to your partner? Find out HERE.

Hopefully, these simple steps will help you have a great sex life, despite urinary incontinence symptoms!

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