What the Doctor Needs to Know About Your Bladder Control Problems

What the doctor needs to know about your bladder control problems?

You will need to keep a record. Try to write down the times when you go to the bathroom. Write down when you have accidents, too. Do this for a day or more. This record is called a bladder control diary. Diaries help your doctor or nurse learn the cause of your problem.

What your doctor needs to know

I take these prescription medicines:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

I take these over-the-counter drugs (such as Tylenol, aspirin, or Maalox):
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

If you take more medicines, please list them on a separate paper.

I started having bladder trouble (choose one):

recently
1 to 2 years ago
_____ years ago.

Number of babies I have had:_____________________
Dates:_________________________________________

My periods stopped (menopause).
Date:__________________________________________

I recently had an operation.
Date:__________________________________________
Type of operation:________________________________ I recently hurt myself or have been sick.
Date: _________________________________________
Type of injury or illness:____________________________

I recently had a bladder (urinary tract) infection.
Date: _________________________________________

Check your symptoms:

• I am often constipated.
  
  
• I have pain or burning feelings when going to the toilet.
  
  
• I often have a really strong urge to go to the toilet right away.
  
  
• Sometimes my bladder feels full, even after I go to the toilet.
  
  
• I go to the toilet often, but very little urine comes out.
  
  
• I don't go out with friends or family because I worry about leaking urine.
  
  
• The first thing I do at new places is check the bathroom location.
  
  
• I worry about being put in a nursing home because of bladder control problems.

I have (or had) these medical problems:

• Cancer
  
  
• Constipation
  
  
• Crippling arthritis
  
  
• Diabetes
  
  
• Depression
  
  
• Diverticulitis
  
  
• Interstitial cystitis
  
  
• Multiple sclerosis
  
  
• Spinal cord injury
  
  
• Stroke
  
  
• Urinary infection
  
  
• I smoke cigarettes.

  Getting Help | Seeing the Doctor | Tests | Your Bladder Control System | Causes | Treatments | Glossary

  Reprinted from the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

  More About Bladder Control for Women

  Updated 12/11/05