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When should I see a doctor about incontinence?

Make an appointment with your primary care provider if: You're embarrassed by urine leakage, and you avoid important activities because of it. You often feel urgency to urinate and rush to a bathroom, but sometimes don't make it in time. You often feel the need to urinate, but you're unable to pass urine.

mayoclinic.org - Bladder control problems in women: Seek treatment - Mayo Clinic

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Bladder control problems in women: Seek treatment Recognize the warning signs and symptoms of a bladder control problem. Understand when to seek a doctor's help and how to get the most out of your visit. By Mayo Clinic Staff If you experience bladder control problems, don't let embarrassment keep you from getting the help you need. Leaking urine, having to urinate frequently and experiencing other symptoms of urinary incontinence aren't trivial consequences of childbirth or a natural part of aging. Not all doctors routinely ask about urinary function during an exam. It's up to you to take the first step. Tell your doctor about any bladder control problems and ask for help.

Why to seek help

Bladder control problems require medical attention for several reasons. Reduced bladder control may:

Cause you to restrict your physical activities

Lead you to withdraw from social interactions

Increase risk of falling if you have balance problems and rush to the bathroom to avoid leaking urine Sometimes having a bladder control problem means you may have a serious underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or kidney disease.

When to seek help

A few isolated incidents of urinary incontinence don't necessarily require medical attention. And most people, as they age, have to get up to urinate at night. But if the problem affects your quality of life, consider having your symptoms evaluated.

Make an appointment with your primary care provider if:

You're embarrassed by urine leakage, and you avoid important activities because of it You often feel urgency to urinate and rush to a bathroom, but sometimes don't make it in time You often feel the need to urinate, but you're unable to pass urine You notice that your urine stream is getting progressively weaker, or you feel as if you can't empty your bladder well

Most of the time, symptoms can be improved.

When to seek a specialist

Many health care providers can evaluate bladder control problems without referring you to a specialist. In spite of better understanding and treatment of urinary incontinence, some providers may consider it an inevitable consequence of childbearing, menopause or aging. Others may lack the time, training or experience that make them likely to consider you for evaluation or treatment. If your doctor dismisses symptoms that have an impact on your quality of life, or if the treatments he or she prescribes fail, ask for referral to a specialist. Doctors who specialize in urinary disorders include:

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Geriatrician. This medical doctor specializes in the care of older adults, often with emphasis on problems related to common quality-of-life issues, such as urinary incontinence. This medical doctor specializes in the care of older adults, often with emphasis on problems related to common quality-of-life issues, such as urinary incontinence. Urogynecologist. This is an obstetrician-gynecologist with additional training in problems that affect the pelvic floor — the network of muscles, ligaments, connective tissue and nerves that helps support and control the bladder and other pelvic organs. This is an obstetrician-gynecologist with additional training in problems that affect the pelvic floor — the network of muscles, ligaments, connective tissue and nerves that helps support and control the bladder and other pelvic organs. Urologist. A urologist specializes in male and female urinary disorders, as well as the male reproductive system.

Bladder diary: A detailed symptom record

Before your visit, ask your doctor's office for a bladder diary and how to use it so that you can track information for several days in a row. A bladder diary is a detailed, day-to-day record of your symptoms and other information related to your urinary habits. It can help you and your doctor determine the causes of bladder control problems and the most effective treatments. To figure out how much urine you pass, you can use any collection device that allows you to measure ounces or milliliters.

Medical history review

Your visit will be more productive if you provide a good medical history. Make a list of:

Any surgeries, childbirths, illnesses, injuries and medical procedures, along with approximate dates

Current health problems, such as diabetes or any condition that affects your ability to walk or rise rapidly to a standing position

Past and current problems with your urinary system

Medications you're taking, including each drug's brand or generic name, dosage, when you take it, and what you take it for Medications can be associated with bladder control problems, so list everything — prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, minerals, herbs and other supplements. If you're not sure whether something counts as a medication, put it on the list.

What to expect from treatment

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As a first step, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to "train" your bladder, such as performing pelvic-strengthening exercises (Kegel exercises) and following a schedule for when you drink fluids and use the bathroom. For some women, medications help. For others, surgery provides effective treatment. But, both medications and surgery have side effects you'll want to discuss with your doctor before deciding on these treatment options. What's best for you depends on the type and severity of your bladder control problem. Your bladder control problems may significantly improve after treatment. Any improvement, however, counts as a success, as long as it helps you to do what you like and enhances your quality of life. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

mayoclinic.org - Bladder control problems in women: Seek treatment - Mayo Clinic

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