The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Commonly used incontinence drugs may cause memory problems in some older people, a study has found. "Our message is to be careful when using these medicines," said U.S. Navy neurologist Dr. Jack Tsao, who led the study. "It may be better to use diapers and be able to think clearly than the other way around."

Urinary incontinence sometimes can be resolved with non-drug treatments, he added, so patients should ask about alternatives. Exercises, biofeedback and keeping to a schedule of bathroom breaks work for many.

It started with the occasional sneeze – urine just came out of me. I had no control. It also happened when I laughed or coughed. At first I wasn’t too concerned about it and thought it would gradually get better. But after time it got worse instead of better. My doctor said that when my estrogen level got higher, it might get better and go away. But even tweaking my estrogen replacement therapy has had no effect. The other theory was that this issue could be a result of my hysterectomy.