An Accurate Diagnosis Ensures Effective Treatment for Incontinence

Evaluation and Diagnostic Testing

At your initial appointment, the specialist will take a complete medical and family history and conduct a physical exam. You will be asked to describe your symptoms, their severity and when they occur. You may also be asked to do certain maneuvers and/or cough. The information gathered will be very helpful in diagnosing your condition. Additional testing and procedures recommended may include:

• Urinalysis. A sample of your urine will be examined in a laboratory to look for signs of infection, traces of blood or other abnormalities.
• Urodynamic Study. A specialized procedure to evaluate the function of your bladder and urethra.
• Bladder Diary. You may be asked to track your fluid intake, urination frequency and volume for several days, noting when/if you have any episodes of leakage or urgency.
• Postvoid Residual Measurement. After you urinate, the specialist will check the amount of urine that remains in your bladder using a catheter or ultrasound. Large amounts of residual urine may indicate a urinary tract obstruction or a problem with your bladder nerves or muscles.
• Pelvic Ultrasound. A noninvasive test to look for structural abnormalities in the urinary tract.

Specialized Urinary Incontinence Treatment Options for Women

After a comprehensive evaluation and the appropriate diagnostic testing, our urologists will work in close partnership with gynecologists and female pelvic health professionals to create an individualized treatment plan. Other factors that will be considered when developing your care plan include existing health conditions, age and lifestyle.

Treatment recommendations may include one of more of the following:

• Noninvasive treatments and lifestyle changes
• Urethral fillers
• Electrical stimulation therapy
• Surgery