Stress Incontinence: 7 Things Your Gynecologist Will Need to Know

Stress incontinence is defined as leaking urine involuntarily under situations that stress your bladder, such as lifting something, sneezing or laughing. Embarrassing as this can be, it isn’t a lifetime diagnosis! When you see your gynecologist about the problem, you'll probably have plenty of questions to ask -- and so you should. Information on the internet and available at the library can only be given in the most general sense, so you need to know what questions to ask your gynecologist about their proposed treatment for your stress incontinence. In order to give you good info, though, they'll have to ask a few questions of their own! Here we look at the information you should come armed with to a stress incontinence appointment.

1. Do you leak urine when laughing, coughing, lifting, and so on?
   If the answer is yes, you will certainly be diagnosed with some degree of stress incontinence. The management may be different depending on your individual situation, though.
2. Do you leak urine on the way to the bathroom, when you have a strong urge to pee?
   If you do, this might indicate that you have overactive bladder syndrome in conjunction with stress incontinence.
3. Are you woken up by the urge to urinate in the nighttime?
   Your gynecologist will need you to distinguish between being woken by other things and then feeling the need to wee, and waking because of the urge to wee.
4. Do you wear incontinence pads, and how often doo you need to change them?
   This will help them diagnose how severe your stress incontinence is, and will help determine whether you are given exercises to do, or medication or surgery is recommended.
5. How often do you empty your bladder in the daytime?
   You can record this if you like and show your doctor, to give an accurate picture of what is going on with your bladder.
6. Are you always aware of the leaking occurring?
   If you sometimes leak urine without being aware of it, an upgraded management plan might be devised.
7. Does it hurt when you urinate?
   This might indicate the need for antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection before any further diagnoses are made. Your stress incontinence could be caused by nothing more than an easily killed little germ!
   

The Top Five Questions Women Wish They Could Ask Their Gynecologist

In a perfect world, every woman would meet with her gynecologist and ask every private question about topics like pelvic pain or stress incontinence that had her troubled. But in reality, embarrassment and anxiety often prevent women from asking certain questions. We've developed our list of the top five questions women wish they could ask their gynecologists. Can you identify?

Question #1: What's Causing My Pelvic Pain?
Pain in the pelvic area has many possible causes, but many women assume it's simply bad cramps. Many women seem to be trained not to complain about menstrual pain. Even more embarrassing, it may only occur during sex. Being embarrassed about the reason for pelvic painmay keep women from asking their doctors to investigate.

If you're feeling unusual pain in the pelvic region, by all means, write down when it occurs, how severe it becomes and any thoughts you have about its cause. Then take your list of questions and symptoms to your doctor and relieve the anxiety you've been feeling.

Question #2: Can Anything Be Done About My Stress Incontinence?
This is a big one, especially after childbirth or menopause. Women don't always talk to each other, much less their doctors, about why their bladders leak. That's sad, because so much can be done to relieve stress incontinence! If this is your private question, find a way to ask your doctor to help you.

Question #3: What's Causing This Heavy Flow?
What an embarrassing thing flowing heavily can be! Although having periods is the most natural thing possible for women, they still sometimes have trouble talking to a doctor when things don't seem right. Whether it is fibroids, anemia or any number of other reasons causing the problem, as soon as you start asking your doctor questions, healing can begin.

Question #4: Why Can't I Get Pregnant?
Infertility questions can be tied up with all sorts of guilt and anxiety. Is it my fault? Won't I ever have children? Getting to the root cause of infertility takes a lot of thoughtful discussion with your doctor. Start that discussion by asking the questions that are on your mind.

Question #5: Will I Change After a Hysterectomy?
You may have already made the decision, along with your doctor, to have a hysterectomy, but have lingering questions about what changes to expect. Arm yourself with a list of questions before the surgery, to save yourself anxiety afterward. Each woman's body is different, but there are several things that are consistent after hysterectomy that might seem puzzling if you don't have the answers you need.

Learning to talk frankly with your gynecologist and having the freedom to ask any questions you may have is a wonderfully empowering experience. Break the sound barrier and start asking! That's when health and vitality really become possible.