Your doctor will ask you about your health history. You'll be asked how often and how much you urinate and leak urine. You may also be asked what you're usually doing when you leak urine. Your doctor will also do a physical exam and check a sample of your urine. Other tests may be needed to make sure your incontinence isn't caused by another condition.

Stress incontinence can be treated with:

• Pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegels). These help strengthen the muscles that control the flow of urine.
• Diet and lifestyle changes. For example, limit caffeine, carbonated drinks, and alcohol. They make you urinate more.
• Medicines. An antidepressant medicine may help with bladder control, but there can be side effects of the medicine. For people with symptoms of menopause, estrogen cream may be used in the vagina. This may help with bladder control.
• Medical devices. These include:
  • Urinary catheter. This includes condom catheters.
  • Penile clamp. This may work for short-term use.
  • Incontinence pessary. This fits into the vagina and compresses the urethra.
• Injections of material around the urethra (urethral bulking). This can help prevent leaking.
• Surgery. This is done to put in a perineal or urethral sling to support, lift, or compress the urethra. This makes you less likely to leak urine when you sneeze, cough, or laugh. Surgery can be very effective, but it has risks. When deciding whether to have surgery, talk about the risks and benefits with your doctor.

There are products, like pads and disposable underwear, that absorb urine.