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Help for an embarrassing condition

	Stress incontinence may make you nervous about going out and doing things you used to enjoy. You may even be too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about it. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find effective treatments for stress incontinence.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out if strengthening exercises, medications or surgery rates best for treating stress incontinence.

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with stress incontinence, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health can help with the best research about stress incontinence, and expert evidence and advice about treatment options.

Key points about stress incontinence

• Stress incontinence is common. At least 1 in 6 women get it at some time in life.
• You're most likely to get it after you've had a baby, and it gets worse as you get older.
• You may feel too embarrassed to see your doctor. But treatments can help no matter how long you’ve had leaking
• If your incontinence is bad, you may need surgery.

If you have stress incontinence you leak urine when there's extra pressure on your bladder and the muscles around it. This usually happens when you laugh, cough, sneeze or lift something. You're more likely to get stress incontinence as you get older and when you reach menopause. Other things that can cause stress incontinence include being overweight, some kinds of surgery, constipation, and coughing a lot.

You may think you have to put up with this problem, but there are many treatments for stress incontinence that work well. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about stress incontinence. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.