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Bladder control: Medications for urinary problems

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You've given up coffee and soda. You've followed your doctor's suggestions for bladder retraining. But bladder control remains a problem. What else can you do? Ask your doctor about medication options.

Medications are available for people with bladder control problems marked by sudden, intense urinary urges and urine leakage (overactive bladder and urge incontinence). Fewer medication options exist for urine leakage prompted by movement or activity, such as coughing, sneezing or heavy lifting (stress incontinence).

Here's a look at medications commonly prescribed to treat urinary incontinence and their possible side effects. Keep in mind that medication combined with behavioral treatment might be more effective than medication alone.

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