The purpose of the exercise is to increase better muscle tone of the sphincter. This would be repeated 30-40 times per day and benefits might appear in a couple months. Supplemental hormones, generally estrogens, have shown benefits for those women who are postmenopausal. Certain medicines can help the bladder relax, or may help strengthen the sphincter. Sitting on a specially designed seat with magnets in place may, over time, actually reduce some stress incontience by depolarizing the nerves to the pelvic muscles and, in a sense, exercising them.
Further studies are underway.
Most are not bothered by this and generally should not be concerned. If the loss of urine begins to interfere with a woman s ability to comfortably carry on her daily activities, then evaluation should be considered. Incontinence does not necessarily steadily worsen, and medicines and even surgery, are not considered permanent solutions. The timing of any treatment needs to be after a careful assessment of the nature of leakage, physical findings, and some simple non-painful studies of the bladder, often done right in the office setting.