Several herbal remedies are commonly used to affect mood and help the urinary system. Although we cannot provide medical evidence that the following remedies do work, there are many paruresis sufferers who have taken one of the following remedies and found that it has helped them. Please note that should you take any of the following, you should consult your doctor first and that you take the remedies at your own risk.

It is important that you check the dosages on all the following remedies as products from different manufacturers may contain different amounts of the active substances, and concentrations in different batches may also vary (even if they come from the same manufacturer).  Read more... (330 words, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)

Catheters are small rubber or plastic tubes that can be inserted through the urethra and into the bladder. Both men and women can use catheters. Catheters are a method of emptying the bladder and should work every time. Paruretics who use catheters are use ‘clean intermittent catheterization’ (CIC). This is a fancy way of saying the catheters are used only when needed, and on an intermittent basis. It also means that the catheters do not have to be sterile, however they do have to be totally clean. There is a small risk of infection, particularly in women, however the risk is minor and keeping the catheter as clean as possible will reduce this risk.  Read more... (394 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

It is recommended that you tell people that you trust about your paruresis. It means that they may be able to help you in social situations – perhaps covering for when you take a long time in the bathroom, or will be more willing to go to a particular pub or restaurant where you feel more comfortable. It also usually comes as a relief for sufferers when they tell someone. It normally isn’t easy, but most people will tell you that it was worth it.  Read more... (267 words, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)

The main elements in the process or urination are the sphincters, the bladder and the urethra. The bladder is enclosed in a muscle called the detrusor which is divided into two parts – the dome around the bladder and an area around the bladder neck (the internal sphincter). This is normally subconsciously controlled. Lower down, an external sphincter surrounds the urethra. This sphincter is normally consciously controlled.

As your bladder fills, the dome around the bladder relaxes and both of the sphincters contract. As you urinate, both the sphincters relax and the dome around the bladder contracts so that the urine is forced out with minimal resistance.  Read more... (337 words, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)

This article shows you some basic things that you can do to help improve your paruresis. They may not fully cure your condition, however if you follow some of the suggestions here, you may find that you condition improves. It is important to try and follow the guidelines every time you go to the bathroom – progress will take time and the more you practice these suggestions, the more natural they will become.

Relax!

Being tense makes it more difficult to urinate. Ensure that you breathe slowly and deeply, fully relaxing your abdomen. Deep slow breathing will calm you down and help you to relax. Breathe in slowly through your nose and hold for four seconds before breathing out slowing through your mouth.  Read more... (864 words, estimated 3:27 mins reading time)

This guide requires a second person to help and support you during the treatment. It is important to choose someone who understands your problem, who has a lot of patience and who will be able to give you the support that you need over an extended period of time. There are also self-help workshops held around the country which practice exposure therapy and you may want to attend one of these first before trying this exercise on your own.  Read more... (892 words, estimated 3:34 mins reading time)