| Incontinence, the inability to control excretory functions, is a commonproblem. In fact, the National Institutes of Health estimates that13 million adults suffer from urinary incontinence.40 It is not just a symptom of age or infirmity. The muscles in the bladderand urethra may become weak due to childbirth resulting in accidentalwetting when one coughs or laughs. Loss of hormones during menopausecould also help to weaken the urinary system. Other causes includedamage to bladder nerves due to disease, urinary tract infection,or a blockage in the urethra, a rarity in women. The condition, also referred to as overactive bladder, is characterizedby a sudden urge to urinate because of muscle contractions aroundthe bladder, which may lead to involuntary leakage. Usually urinaryfrequency is more than normal, perhaps as much as eight to tentimes in a 24-hour period. Incontinence also may interrupt sleeppatterns, as you wake up several times a night to pass urine. Because of the personal nature of this condition, many peopleare reluctant to discuss it with their doctors. For those whodo, their doctors prescribe anticholinergic medications, which areoften accompanied by side effects, or surgery is recommended. These therapiesshould not be the first line of defense. Specific exercises to strengthen the muscles around the bladderand urethra can help control leakage. Biofeedback is alsoused to help control the muscles. Along with building up the muscles,there are natural herbs that have been shown to help maintain healthyurinary bladder function. Life Extension offers a natural herbal product that is designedto support healthy urinary tract function.* The 20 standardizedherbs contained in BetterWOMAN® havebeen used in Chinese medicine for centuries to addressthe multiple mechanisms necessary for proper bladder function andcontrol. This formula is a holistic approach to help create the optimalfunction of the urinary tract and muscles.* These Chinese herbs are standardized to provide a consistentformula. BetterWOMAN® helps promote the health and function of the urinary bladder.41* | 
