Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that’s so sudden and strong you don’t get to a restroom in time. Although it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence isn’t an inevitable consequence of aging. For most people, simple lifestyle changes or medical treatment can ease discomfort or stop urinary incontinence.