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Glossary of Urinary Incontinence Terms

By Tracee Cornforth, About.com

Created: December 27, 2003

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Important Words About Urinary Incontinence

  • bladder: (BLAD-ur) the balloon-shaped muscle inside the body that holds urine

  • gynecologist: (guy-nuh-CALL-uh-jist): a doctor who treats women's problems

  • incontinence: (in-KON-tuh-nents): loss of bladder control, accidental leakage of urine

  • menopause: (MEN-uh-paws) the time when a woman stops having her periods

  • pelvic muscle exercises: a way to strengthen the muscles that hold urine in the bladder

  • pessary: (PESS-uh-ree) a special device placed in the vagina to support the bladder and prevent leakage

  • urethra: (you-REE-thrah) a tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

  • urinate: (YOOR-uh-nate) to pass water, sometimes called voiding or peeing

  • urine: (YOOR-un) the water containing wastes that passes from the body

  • urogynecologist: (YOOR-oh-guy-nuh-CALL-uh-jist): a doctor who treats women's bladder and urine problems

  • urologist: (yoor-ALL-uh-jist) a doctor who treats people with bladder or urine problems

  • vagina: (vuh-JY-nuh) in a woman's body, a tube connecting the womb (uterus) to the outside

  • 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
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