Urinary Incontinence

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What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

Your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical examination, with a focus on your abdomen, genitals, pelvis, rectum, and neurologic system.

Medical history questions may include:

• How long has incontinence been a problem for you?
• How many times does this happen each day?
• Are you aware of the need to urinate before you leak?
• Are you immediately aware that you have passed urine?
• Are you wet most of the day?
• Do you wear protective garments in case of accidents? How often?
• Do you avoid social situations in case of accidents?
• Have you had urinary tract infections in the past? Do you think that you may have one now?
• Is it more difficult to control your urine when you cough, sneeze, strain, or laugh?
• Is it more difficult to control your urine when running, jumping, or walking?
• Is your incontinence worse when sitting up or standing?
• Are you constipated? For how long?
• Is there anything you do to reduce or prevent accidents?
• Have you ever been treated for this condition before? Did it help?
• Have you tried pelvic floor exercises (Kegel)? Do they help?
• What procedures, surgeries, or injuries have you had?
• What medications do you take?
• Do you drink coffee? How much?
• Do you drink alcohol? How much?
• Do you smoke? How much each day?
• Do you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes?
• Do you have any other symptoms?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Urinalysis
• Urine culture to check for infection if indicated
• Cystoscopy (inspection of the inside of the bladder)
• Urodynamic studies (tests to measure pressure and urine flow)
• Uroflow (to measure pattern of urine flow)
• Post void residual (PVR) to measure amount of urine left after urination