Other factors

Certain medicines, excess weight, smoking and physical inactivity can play a part in bladder control problems. The following can help with bladder control:

• Manage medicines. High blood pressure medicines, heart medicines, water pills, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, sedatives and antidepressants all can play a part in bladder control problems. If you can't hold your urine or can't urinate while taking these drugs, talk to your health care provider.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can affect bladder control. Extra body weight puts pressure on the stomach and bladder. This can cause leaking. Losing weight might help.
• Stop smoking. Smokers are more likely to have bladder control problems and to have worse symptoms. Heavy smokers also tend to cough. Coughing can put more pressure on the bladder and make it harder to control. If you cough a lot for any reason, ask your health care provider about treatments.
• Try to avoid constipation. Straining during bowel movements can damage the pelvic floor. Unfortunately, some medicines used to treat bladder control problems can make constipation worse. To improve constipation, exercise, drink enough water and eat high-fiber foods, such as lentils, beans, vegetables and fruits.