Evaluation & Diagnosis
The first step to getting help with incontinence is to talk to your healthcare provider. Even though it is an embarrassing problem, many patients are surprised to learn how many women - of all ages - are affected, and that it IS a treatable, curable problem.
These are some tips to get the conversation started on your first visit:
- Date of your last pelvic exam
- Number of children and how delivered (vaginally, or cesarean section)
- Symptoms you may have in your pelvic region: bulging, trouble urinating or passing a bowel movement, leaking, needing to use the bathroom frequently, pain during urination
- When your symptoms started
- How often you have these symptoms
- Any medicines you may be taking or allergies you may have
The following links and tools will help you prepare for a visit to discuss your pelvic symptoms:
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Talking with your Doctor
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Voiding Diary (also called Bladder Diary)
Voiding diary
A voiding diary (or bladder diary) helps you in writing down how much fluid you drink, activities that cause leakage and when you have urge sensations. Recording this data will provide important information about the cause and potential treatment of your leakage.
Bladder Tests
Simple tests, such as a cough test, may be done during an office visit to determine the type of leakage you are experiencing. There are two primary tests, a Cytoscopy and a Urodynamic test, that may be performed to evaluate the cause of incontinence, and to determine the best treatment options. Neither of these tests is painful and both may be performed in the comfort and discretion of our West Springfield office.
A test of your urine (urinalysis) is usually done to rule out infection or blood in the urine. Blood tests may also be ordered.
