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| > Home > Should I Talk to My Doctor? > What to Expect at the Doctor's Office |
It might not have even crossed your mind that your doctor might be able to help, or that there are treatments available. And, if you're like most people who live with these bladder symptoms, you've probably figured out some way to deal with your condition.
The thing is, if you suffer from frequent bladder urges or leakage, not talking to your doctor means putting up with these bladder symptoms on your own. While you may have found ways to help deal with your symptoms, you still may worry that, sooner or later, when the urgent need to go to the bathroom hits, you might not make it in time.
And, if you leak a little once in a while, even if no one else knows, you're probably concerned you won't feel as fresh and clean as you'd like throughout the day. But you may not have to make so many adjustments. That's why it's time to talk to your doctor to find out if there are treatment options that can help you.
Being as open and honest as possible with your doctor can lead to the best possible treatment for your bladder symptoms.
Who can help?
Doctors in several different medical specialties can diagnose these bladder symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment. These medical specialists include:
- Family physicians/primary-care physicians — Caregivers who provide general medical care
- Internal medicine specialists — Caregivers who provide general medical care for adults
- Obstetricians and gynecologists — Specialists in the care of the reproductive system in women
- Urologists — Specialists in conditions of the urinary tract in men and women, and the reproductive system in men
- Urogynecologists — Specialists in obstetrics and gynecology with advanced training in complex pelvic conditions in women
Your doctor may perform some of the following procedures to help diagnose your bladder condition:
- History and physical exam — The doctor asks questions about your health, including what medications you are taking, and performs a general checkup. To help make this easier, you can bring your completed Fresh Approach Kit with you to your appointment. This kit helps gather some of your bladder information and any of your questions in one place so that you won't forget anything important to tell or ask your doctor.
- Urinalysis — A sample of your urine is examined under a microscope to check for signs of infection or other problems.
Often, this information is enough for your doctor to diagnose your condition. In some cases, he or she may refer you to a specialist in conditions involving the body's urinary system. If you are referred to a specialist, he or she might perform:
- Ultrasound — This non-invasive medical imaging technique uses high-frequency sound waves and their echoes to produce images of the inner body. A sensor placed on the outside of your lower abdomen can produce an image of your urinary system.
- Urodynamic testing — Tests that evaluate bladder function.
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