Two out of 3 women never discuss bladder health or incontinence with their doctor. Shyness. Embarrassment. Shame. A feeling that, “it’s just part of growing old.” Or not knowing which medical professional can help. All these are reasons you may suffer in silence with stress incontinence or urge incontinence  – wearing pads, limiting your social life, or continually searching for a public restroom. Gynecologists are trained to help you with this problem – one that occurs in 40% of women after giving birth.

“A woman shouldn’t hesitate to talk with her gynecologist about this life-limiting problem,” says McLeod Gynecologist Brad Campbell, MD. “A range of help is available – from exercises (such as Kegels) to medications, biofeedback, physical therapy and minimally invasive surgery. It starts with a simple, short conversation with your doctor and leads to treatments that help more than 90% of patients feel better.”

If you’re prepared, it’s less likely you’ll be embarrassed about the conversation. To help you prepare for a visit with your gynecologist, answer the questions below:

• How long ago did you have your last pelvic exam? ____________
• How many children do you have? _____
• Were they delivered vaginally or by cesarean? ________________
• Which, if any, of these symptoms do you have?
  • Pain during urination
  • Leaking when you laugh or cough
  • Needing to go to the bathroom
  • Pain or pressure “down there”
  • Trouble urinating or having a bowel movement
• How long ago did your symptoms start?   ________ (years, months, weeks)
• How often do you experience these symptoms?
  • Every day
  • Several times a week
  • Several times a month
  • Less than once a month

For a form you can fill out in advance, click here. Answering these questions in advance has two benefits for you:

1.  Your gynecologist will have much of the information they need right in front of them and
2. You can worry less about answering possible embarrassing questions in conversation with your doctor.

Another helpful tool for your gynecologist is a Bladder Diary that tracks your experience for several weeks.

Find a Gynecologist near you.

Sources include:  McLeod Health, National Institutes of Health, Royal College of Midwives (UK), Postgraduate Institute for Medicine, American Urogynecologic Society