DOES IT WORK? Leak Stoppers

What helps-and what doesn't-with bladder trouble

- SHARLENE BREAKEY

If you pee a little when you laugh or cough, or you get a sudden urge to go and then drip before you can make it to the restroom, you have something in common with as many as half of women 50 and older: urinary incontinence (UI). Pregnancy, menopause, and plain old aging can cause weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which is the most common cause of UI. We asked the experts to weigh in on products designed to help.

PESSARIES

WHAT THEY ARE: Devices that sit in the vagina and provide support they are usually intended for vaginal prolapse but can also be used for incontinence. Some require a doctor visit to find the right fit. Pessaries meant for incontinence provide extra support under the urethra to "seal" it so urine won't leak out. Some over-the-counter options are made of reusable silicone or plastic, while others are disposable.