{"id":3733,"date":"2014-03-22T16:59:34","date_gmt":"2014-03-22T08:59:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=3733"},"modified":"2020-05-12T10:22:49","modified_gmt":"2020-05-12T08:22:49","slug":"talking-to-your-doctor-about-bladder-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/talking-to-your-doctor-about-bladder-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Talking to Your Doctor About Bladder Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"

One in three women in the US suffers from incontinence. Often women are either too embarrassed to seek help for their leakage or believe it\u2019s just a part of aging. However, each of the four types of incontinence<\/a> can be treated or managed either on your own or with the help of a doctor.<\/a><\/p>\n

Talking to your doctor and determining the cause of your bladder problems is extremely important because your leaks might be a symptom of another condition and could get worse if ignored. In this day and age there is no need to just live with bladder leakage, make an appointment with your doctor and use this guide to help you start the conversation.<\/p>\n

The First Step<\/b><\/h3>\n

The first step to solving your incontinence is to see your primary care physician. If your leaks are caused by infection or medication, your doctor might be able to treat you by prescribing or changing medication. However, if it\u2019s more severe they will send you to see a specialist trained in treating incontinence, such as a urologist or a urogynecologist (OB\/GYN who specializes in treating women with pelvic floor disorders).<\/p>\n

If your type of incontinence is related to the brain or nerves they might even send you to see a neurologist. \u00a0If they decide to treat with pelvic floor muscle exercises<\/a> you may see a physiotherapist, who will help you get the right technique to strengthen the muscles<\/a> that control your bladder and bowel.<\/p>\n

Regardless of what kind of doctor you see it is Important to find a knowledgeable physician that you feel comfortable having an open and honest discussion with.<\/p>\n

Starting the Conversation<\/b><\/h3>\n

It can be hard to broach the subject at first, so try starting with a more general statement and work your way up from there. \u201cI\u2019m having trouble with my bladder\u201d is a good way to start\u2014it should prompt your doctor<\/a> to start asking you questions to get a better understanding of your issue. He or she will then be able to steer the conversation as they help you get to the root of your condition.<\/p>\n

The doctor <\/a>will take your medical history and current health concerns, but be sure to give them details on any pregnancies (vaginal birth or caesarian section, length of labor) or surgeries you\u2019ve had\u2014both of which can contribute to different forms of incontinence<\/a>. When you list your medications, be sure to include dosages and frequency for each. Many medications, from prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) meds to herbal, vitamin, and mineral supplements, can contribute to bladder problems.<\/p>\n

The Details<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your doctor will also want more information about your bladder problem, so make sure you\u2019re as specific as you can be with your responses. \u201cA little bit of urine\u201d can mean different things to different people, for one person it might mean a few drops, for another it might mean a change of clothes.It could help to keep a record of your leaks and other symptoms over the 3-4 days before your appointment. In your journal you should record:<\/p>\n