Diagnosing Incontinence

Diagnosis relies on a good history and physical examination by your healthcare provider. Your doctor may ask you to keep a daily diary of when you urinate and when you leak urine. Urine or voiding diaries give great insight into the type of incontinence a woman suffers from.

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and the medicines you use. Questions you are asked may focus on bowel habits, patterns of urination and leakage (for example, when, how often, how severe), and whether there is pain, discomfort, or straining when voiding. He or she will want to know if you have been sick recently or had surgery.

Testing

Your doctor also may do a number of tests. These may include tests of the nervous system and an examination of the abdomen, rectum, and pelvis. The physical examination also helps your doctor identify medical conditions that may be the cause of incontinence. For instance, poor reflexes or sensory responses may indicate a neurological disorder. Laboratory tests may be useful to rule out urinary tract infections and kidney disease. These might include urine and blood tests.

Pad Test

The pad test is an objective test that determines whether the fluid loss is in fact urine. You may be asked to take a medication that colors the urine. As fluid leaks onto the pad, it changes color indicating that the fluid lost is urine. The pad test may be performed during a one-hour period or a 24-hour period. The pads may be weighed before and after use to assess the severity of urine loss.

Urodynamic Studies

Sometimes evaluation of the bladders ability to fill and store urine is helpful. This is called urodynamics and can be done simply in the office. Urodynamics uses physical measurements such as urine pressure and flow rate as well as clinical assessment. These studies measure the pressure in the bladder at rest and while filling. These studies range from simple observation to precise measurements using specialized equipment.

Don’t Hesitate to Seek Care

Seeking care for urinary incontinence is a woman’s first step toward taking back control of her active lifestyle. No woman should ever settle for losing urine as an inevitable part of aging or wearing pads to compensate. If your practitioner does not ask about incontinence then be sure to bring the subject up yourself. Don’t be left on the sidelines while an active lifestyle passes you by.

This information is provided for your information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, or have any questions, please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.