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Bladder control problems sometimes continue even after making lifestyle changes and trying bladder training. When other options don't work, it may be time to talk to your healthcare professional about whether a medicine might work for you.

Medicines are available for people who often have sudden, intense urges to urinate, also called overactive bladder. They're also available to people who have urine leaks that can happen along with overactive bladder. This is called urge incontinence.

There are fewer drug options for people who have urine leaks during activity. This is called stress incontinence. Stress incontinence can cause leaks when coughing, sneezing or lifting heavy objects.

Here's a look at drugs commonly used to treat bladder control problems and their possible side effects. Taking a medicine combined with behavioral treatment might be more effective than taking the medicine alone.