The loss of bladder control that occurs when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise, or lift something heavy causes stress urinary incontinence.   A number of conservative treatments can be used to treat stress incontinence. There are several ways to support the bladder, including lifestyle changes, exercise, weight loss, or devices inserted into the vagina. For women with bothersome stress incontinence, surgery may be an option when these options don't work.   The risks of surgery are higher than those of other therapies, but it may be able to provide a long-term solution. Your particular health and treatment needs will determine which method is best for you in terms of stress incontinence surgery. In people with stress incontinence, pressure on the bladder neck affects how well the urethra works. Urethras are tubes that carry urine from the bladder. The bladder neck is where the urethra connects with the bladder. In order to control the flow of urine, muscles called external urethral sphincters close the urethra. Surgical treatment aims to support the urethra and bladder neck. By providing extra support, you can prevent urine leaks when exerting pressure on the urethra. There are different types of urinary incontinence surgery, which one works best will depend on various factors to be determined by your attending physician.