How to Talk to Your Doctor About Incontinence

Bringing up bladder problems with your doctor isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take toward getting the help you deserve. Millions of people experience urinary incontinence, yet many stay silent. The truth is, incontinence care has come a long way, and there are more treatment options and support resources than ever before. Here, we'll go over a few tips to help you talk to your doctor about incontinence.

Here are a few things you'll learn:

• Urinary incontinence is common and treatable, but many people feel too embarrassed to bring it up.
• There are several types, including stress, urge, overflow, and mixed incontinence.
• Over 25 million U.S. adults live with incontinence; you're not alone.
• Talking to your doctor can lead to effective treatments and improve your quality of life.
• Prepare for your appointment by tracking your symptoms, bathroom habits, and fluid intake.
• Bring a list of questions and medications to help guide the conversation.
• Don’t wait; early conversations lead to better incontinence care.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence (UI) is the involuntary loss of urine. It’s not a disease itself, but a symptom of an underlying issue with the bladder, urinary tract, or pelvic floor. It can range from occasional dribbles to full loss of bladder control, and it affects people of all ages and genders.

There are also different types of incontinence, including:

• Stress Incontinence: Leakage occurs during physical activity or pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. Common after childbirth or during menopause.
• Urge Incontinence: A sudden, strong urge to urinate followed by leakage. Often involves frequent urination, including at night. Urge incontinence is one of the most common symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB).
• Overflow Incontinence: The bladder doesn’t empty completely, leading to constant dribbling or unexpected leakage. More common in men with prostate issues.
• Functional Incontinence: Caused by physical or cognitive limitations (like arthritis or dementia) that make it hard to reach the bathroom in time, even though bladder function is normal.
• Mixed Incontinence: A combination of two or more types, usually stress and urge incontinence.

Common symptoms to look out for include:

• Leaking urine during everyday activities
• Intense, sudden urges to urinate
• Frequent urination (more than 8 times a day)
• Waking up multiple times at night to urinate
• Dribbling or incomplete emptying
• Avoiding activities due to fear of leakage

Why Is It So Hard to Talk to Your Doctor About Urinary Incontinence?

Incontinence can be a profoundly personal condition. For many, it's often tied to control and cleanliness, so admitting that there's a problem can feel a bit like admitting failures or weaknesses. And, even though it's extremely common, incontinence isn't often something that's talked about openly. There's a cultural taboo that surrounds these types of bodily functions that leads to silence and a cycle of shame and secrecy. Unfortunately, many people still don't know how to differentiate between truth vs. myths regarding incontinence.

Aside from the personal feelings or viewpoints surrounding UI, many individuals believe that it's a natural part of getting older. So, why talk about the inevitable? Why give something attention that can't be changed? Incontinence isn't necessarily something that you have to live with; there are several management options, and some cases can even be reversed.

How Many People Have Incontinence?

It's estimated that around 423 million people aged 20 or older around the world have some form of urinary incontinence. In the US, over 25 million adults will experience incontinence, with women being disproportionately affected. However, these are only the documented cases. Some studies suggest that only about one in three people with incontinence seek medical help, so the numbers are likely much higher.

Why Is It Important to Tell Your Doctor About Incontinence?

It’s important to talk to your doctor about incontinence because it’s a medical condition, not just an inconvenience. The sooner you make an appointment to talk about your symptoms, the sooner you can explore treatment options and improve your overall quality of life. Some of the most important reasons to bring it up include:

Urinary incontinence can usually be managed. And, in many cases, improved or even reversed. Some of the treatment options available include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Pelvic floor exercises (e.g., Kegels)
• Medications or devices
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

Urinary incontinence may be a symptom of something more serious. UI can indicate underlying health problems, such as:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Diabetes
• Neurological conditions
• Prostate problems
• Pelvic floor disorders

Without treatment, incontinence can get worse. Over time, leaks can become more frequent or severe, which may lead to:

• Skin irritations
• Skin infection
• Sleep disturbances
• Increased risk of falls
• Social withdrawal
• Depression and anxiety

Urine leakage affects more than just your bladder. UI can take a toll on emotional health, relationships, and the enjoyment you feel in everyday life.

Talking about UI with your urologist or gynecologist can help break the stigma. Getting a diagnosis and finding solutions can help debunk the myths and misconceptions surrounding incontinence.

Your doctor is there to help, not judge. Healthcare providers know how common incontinence is and won't judge you for experiencing leaks. It's likely one of the more common conditions they deal with.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Incontinence

Bringing up urinary incontinence with your doctor can feel awkward at first, but it's the first step in getting a diagnosis and treatment. Luckily, physicians are prepared to handle these conversations with both professionalism and compassion. To help you prepare for your appointment and feel as comfortable as possible, consider the following tips:

Keep a Bladder Diary

A bladder diary can help identify patterns and possible triggers. For a few days before your appointment, write down all of your bladder habits, including:

• When and how often you urinate
• Any leaks or accidents (including what you were doing at the time)
• Fluid intake (what and how much you drank)
• Urgency or frequency of symptoms
• Any nighttime urination (nocturia)

Keep Track of Everything You Ate for a Few Days

In addition to keeping a bladder diary, it’s helpful to track your food intake for a few days before your doctor’s appointment. Certain foods can irritate the bladder or increase urine production, making incontinence worse. Some things to keep track of include:

• Meals and snacks (especially spicy, acidic, or processed foods)
• Timing of food (note if symptoms get worse after eating certain items)
• Portion sizes
• Symptoms experienced after eating (e.g., urgency, leakage, increased frequency)

Create a List of Medications and Your Medical History

Certain medicines can increase the risk of bladder leakage, so it's important to discuss everything you're currently taking or have been taking in the last few months. Bring a list of:

• All current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
• Past surgeries or medical conditions (especially prostate issues, pelvic surgery, diabetes, or neurological conditions)
• Pregnancy or childbirth history, if relevant

Having your family medical history on hand is also recommended.

Start the Conversation Using a Few Example Sentences

The hardest part is starting the conversation, but remember that your doctor talks about these kinds of things more often than you think. There’s no need to be embarrassed or use medical terms. Just be honest and straightforward. Here are a few ways to bring it up:

• “Lately, I’ve been leaking urine when I laugh or exercise. Is this something I should be concerned about?”
• “I’ve noticed I have to rush to the bathroom, and sometimes I don’t make it in time.”
• “I’m waking up multiple times at night to pee, and it’s affecting my sleep.”
• “I’ve been having bladder control problems, and I want to know what my options are.”

Know What to Expect

One of the best ways to help ease your mind before the appointment is to familiarize yourself with what to expect. After bringing it up, your doctor may:

• Ask about symptoms
• Review your bladder diary and medical history
• Perform a physical exam
• Order tests such as a urinalysis, bladder scan, or urodynamic testing
• Refer you to a specialist

Write Down Any Questions or Concerns

If you're seeing a doctor, it's a good idea to spend some time thinking about questions revolving around the topic. This allows you to address any concerns while you're still face-to-face with your provider. Some questions you may want to ask include:

• What type of urinary incontinence do I have?
• What might be causing my symptoms?
• Could my incontinence be related to another health condition?
• Are there tests you recommend to better understand what’s going on?
• Could any of my medications be contributing to the problem?
• What are the treatment options for my type of incontinence?
• Are there any non-surgical treatments I can try first?
• Are there foods or drinks I should avoid to reduce symptoms?
• How much fluid should I be drinking each day?
• Are there incontinence products or devices you recommend?
• How can I manage leaks during work, travel, or exercise?
• What happens if treatment doesn’t work?
• How soon should I follow up with you?

Urinary incontinence can feel isolating, frustrating, or even embarrassing, but you’re not alone, and you don’t have to live with it in silence. Talking to your doctor is the first and most important step toward finding a treatment option that works for you.

For additional support in managing incontinence, Byram Healthcare is here to help. We offer discreet home delivery of high-quality incontinence products and support with insurance billing to make your experience as smooth as possible. Contact us today to learn more.