How is a cough stress test for urinary incontinence done?

You will be asked to come to the office with a full bladder and asked to cough in an upright and supine (lying-down) position. Then you may be asked to empty your bladder. This urine may be sent for various tests. You will also be asked to repeat this coughing maneuver with an empty bladder. If you lose urine with either a full or empty bladder, the diagnosis may be stress incontinence.