Q. Is there anything I can do to prevent incontinence?

A. Most of the causes of incontinence, such as nerve damage, are beyond your control—and can't be prevented. But women may be able to lower their risk by maintaining a healthy weight.

Eating right and exercising can help you control your weight. These tactics also will lower your risk of diabetes, which contributes to urge incontinence.

Some research also has shown that the Kegel exercises used to treat stress incontinence may help prevent it in some women. In one study, pregnant women who performed 30 repetitions per day saw benefits up to six months after giving birth.