There are a number of treatments available for urge incontinence, including drug treatments that you can discuss with your Doctor or health professional. However, for many people the best way to improve urge incontinence can be to retrain the bladder. Over time, it is possible to gradually stretch the bladder so that it can hold more. This will give you more time to get to the toilet after you feel the ‘urge’ meaning you are less likely to leak involuntarily. Your doctor, nurse, or continence advisor can explain how to do bladder retraining.

Also using mental tricks can take your mind off the urge. For example, distracting yourself by thinking of as many words as you can beginning with the letter A, and so on working your way through the alphabet.

Doing pelvic floor exercises can also help. They will not cure the bladder contractions that cause the urge, but stronger pelvic floor muscles will support your bladder and help minimize any leakages.

If it stings when you pass urine you may have an infection (known as cystitis) and should see your GP or a medical professional. The urge incontinence often improves when the infection is treated.