Urinary Incontinence in Women
When To Call a Doctor
Call your health professional if:
- You have urinary incontinence that begins suddenly (acute incontinence). Acute incontinence is often caused by urinary tract problems or medications and can be easily corrected.
- The involuntary release of urine is enough of a problem that you need to wear an absorbent pad, or if incontinence interferes with your life in any way.
Do not be embarrassed to discuss urinary incontinence with your health professional. Urinary incontinence is not an inevitable result of aging. Most women with incontinence can be helped or cured.
Watchful Waiting
If you have urinary incontinence that develops slowly (chronic incontinence), you may be able to control the problem yourself. (For more information, see the Home Treatment section in this topic.) If home treatment is not effective, or if incontinence interferes with your lifestyle, ask your health professional about other treatments.
Who To See
Your family doctor, general practitioner , or nurse practitioner can diagnose and treat urinary incontinence.
Your health professional may refer you to see a doctor who specializes in problems of the urinary tract (urologist) or who specializes in treating older people (geriatrician).
If you need surgery, ask your health professional to refer you to a surgeon who is experienced in the types of surgical procedures used to treat incontinence.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
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| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW Carrie Henley | Last Updated: December 5, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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