Women of all ages and backgrounds face the challenge of urinary incontinence. It's important to know that this shouldn’t (I repeat SHOULDN’T) be seen as a regular part of getting older.

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There are several effective treatments for urinary incontinence, but before you jump in, it’s VERY important to diagnose your specific situation. There are numerous factors and we've written a complete guide to urinary incontinence if you want to get a complete picture. Please understand that the majority of women are struggling with basic stress incontinence which is easily treatable through natural remedies or simple in-office procedures.

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We highly recommend visiting a healthcare provider to issue a professional diagnosis.

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How is urinary incontinence diagnosed?

Your provider might do some simple tests to figure out why you're having trouble controlling your bladder. They could ask you to cough while you stand to see if urine comes out. If they think there might be more than one reason for the issue, the next step would be a series of basic assessments and tests.

• Medical History Assessment: Understanding your medical history is a crucial first step. This involves discussing past health issues, surgeries, and medications to gain insights into potential contributors to urinary incontinence.
• Comprehensive Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination is conducted, encompassing a pelvic exam. These examinations help assess the condition of pelvic muscles and identify any structural or functional abnormalities.
• Urine Sample Analysis: Providing a urine sample allows for laboratory testing to check for infections, blood traces, or other irregularities. This diagnostic step helps determine if an underlying urinary tract issue contributes to incontinence symptoms.
• Neurological Exam: A brief neurological examination is performed to detect any potential problems with pelvic nerves. This evaluation aids in understanding the neural factors that may be influencing urinary incontinence.
• Urinary Stress Test: The urinary stress test involves the healthcare provider observing urine loss during specific actions such as coughing or bearing down. This practical assessment helps gauge the impact of external stressors on bladder control, contributing valuable information to the overall diagnosis process.

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In some cases, your doctor might order tests to check how well your bladder, urethra, and sphincter are working (urodynamic tests).

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Bladder function tests to diagnose urinary incontinence may include:

• Measurements of post-void residual urine: This test checks if you can empty your bladder completely. An ultrasound scan or a thin tube (catheter) may be used to measure how much urine is left in your bladder after you urinate.
• Measuring bladder pressures (Cystometry): This test measures the pressure in your bladder and the surrounding area as it fills. It's recommended to check for stress incontinence if you have had a neurologic disease of the spinal cord. A catheter is used to fill your bladder slowly with warm fluid, and you may be asked to cough or bear down to test for leaks.
• Creating images of the bladder as it functions (Video urodynamics): This test uses imaging to create pictures of your bladder as it fills and empties. Warm fluid mixed with a dye is instilled in your bladder, and the images are recorded.
• Cystoscopy: This test uses a scope to look into the bladder for blockages or abnormalities. It's usually done in the doctor's office.

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Now you might be thinking, “Ah, I didn’t realize it could get this complicated.” We believe this is the reason so many women continue to “deal with” their urinary incontinence. Our complete guide can help lead you to a better understanding of what you're struggling with.

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Remember back to the beginning of the post…many women are struggling with basic stress incontinence, which is easily treatable through natural remedies or simple in-office procedures.

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Ultimately, we highly recommend you visit your healthcare provider. If you're near one of our Epiphany Women's Health locations, we are ready to help treat your urinary incontinence so that you can laugh without being embarrassed.

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If you’re ready to take the first step toward treating urinary incontinence, please book an appointment with one of our female nurse practitioners.