Urinary Incontinence Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Urinary incontinence is a symptom of other conditions. Any loss of bladder control can be considered incontinence.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will be asked how often you empty your bladder and patterns of urine leakage. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for any physical causes, such as blockages or nerve problems. You will keep a diary of your bladder habits. You may be referred to a urologist or a urogynecologist.

Tests may include:

• Stress test—You relax then cough as your doctor watches for loss of urine. This will confirm if you have stress incontinence.
• Urine tests
• Blood tests to detect diabetes
• Ultrasound —a test that uses sound waves to examine structures inside the body to determine the residual urine volume after voiding
• Cystoscopy—a thin tube with a tiny camera is inserted in the urethra to view the urethra and bladder
• Urodynamic tests—tests used to measure the flow of urine and pressure in the bladder