So how did you find the first part of our two-series article on how to deal with incontinence? I know you're excited as much as I do to learn about the other half. So without further ado, here it is!

10. Try cranberry juice

It's rich in compounds that kill bacteria and help keep the urinary tract infections at bay. Research suggests cranberry juice can ease mild symptoms of cystitis, such as frequent and urgent toilet trips.

11. Seek medical advice

You should see your doctor if you're struggling with incontinence or it's getting worse over time. Your doctor may prescribe medication, bladder training exercises; recommend pelvic floor exercises; offer surgery or refer you to a specialist continence service for further tests and treatment.

12. Forget about sex

Having sex will put pressure on your bladder and could make you leak. If you're hoping to conceive, see your doctor about treatments that will help.

13. Turn to medication

Don't suffer in silence because there are several prescription medications for both stress incontinence and overflow incontinence. Speak to your GP about medication that can help with all sorts of bladder problems including infections, detrusor overactivity (squeezing when the bladder shouldn't be squeezing), lack of coordination between the muscles in the bladder wall, poor storage due to a poorly functioning bladder muscle or unstable sphincter.

14. Stop smoking

Women who smoke are more likely to experience incontinence than non-smokers. This may be because smoking reduces blood flow to the pelvic area, which could affect the nervous signals reaching your bladder. It also makes you more likely to have urinary tract infections, which are thought to cause some cases of incontinence.

15. Drink less caffeine

There isn't evidence to show caffeine causes bladder weakness, but cutting down could help if you overdo it on the coffees and need the loo more often than usual.

16. Eat more fiber

Some women find increasing their intake of fiber helps ease incontinence. That's because a high-fiber diet makes your stools softer, which is likely to make them easier to pass. It also adds bulk to stool, helping you stay 'regular’. But all this extra pooing can irritate an already sensitive bladder, so don't increase your fiber intake any further without talking to your doctor first.

17. Soothe with tea

Drinking two or three cups of tea a day could reduce your risk of bladder infections, which are one of the main causes of stress incontinence. The tannins in black tea make urine more acidic, potentially helping to wipe out some bacteria that can cause bladder infections. Black and green teas also contain antioxidants called flavonoids, which help keep cell damage at bay.

18. Find out more

Talk with your partner about what's happening and do some research together into incontinence symptoms and treatments that could help with stress or overflow incontinence (or both).

Conclusion

Incontinence can happen to any one of us at any time. If you stay informed, take precautions and prevent it from getting worse, you'll make your life easier and improve your health down the line.