Lower estrogen levels also cause a loss of muscle tone and control in the bladder and urethra. When stress is put on the bladder—due to sneezing, coughing, laughing or jogging—a momentary loss of control can occur resulting in a small amount of leakage. Called urinary stress incontinence, this problem is more likely to occur in women who have had one or more children.

Urge incontinence can also be a problem for some women. It takes the form of a sudden overwhelming feeling of having to go to the bathroom even when the bladder contains very little urine. Whichever the type, urinary incontinence usually does not go beyond the mild condition associated with perimenopause. Nevertheless, it's important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Kegel Exercises

Mild urinary stress incontinence is a temporary problem that can be controlled. Kegel exercises, named after the doctor who invented them, help to strengthen the pelvic floor, and are usually effective for those who do them diligently. This easy-to-do exercise can be done anywhere, without anyone being aware of it.

Locate your pelvic muscles by contracting the vaginal opening as if trying to stop the flow of urine. Hold the contraction for a count of ten, relax and repeat. You may not be able to maintain this squeeze, but with practice the muscles will get much stronger. Another method is to alternately contract and relax the muscles quickly. Repeat a series of 10 muscle contractions several times each day, for a total of 50 to 100 contractions.

Making these exercises part of your daily routine is probably all you need to restore bladder control. To help alleviate urge incontinence, delay trips to the bathroom as much as possible. This will aid in restraining reflex responses. Urge incontinence and mild stress incontinence are frequently eliminated by hormone replacement therapy.