Talk to your doctor
3 in 10 women in the US have overactive bladder (OAB).
OAB causes problems with urination, can worsen your quality of life, and does not go away on its own.
Without treatment, OAB symptoms can become more difficult to manage. It’s important to talk to your doctor.
Start with the symptoms
Not everyone experiences OAB symptoms the same way.
Your doctor needs to know your experiences so they can help you. Before your appointment, make a list of your symptoms and how much they affect you.
Keep a diary
Prepare for your appointment by keeping a bladder diary.
Contain:
- How much do you drink?
- How often do you pee?
- How much you pee
- When you feel an urgent need to pee
- If you leak urine
You can use a notebook or print out a bubble journal that you can find online.
Log what you can
Typically keep a bladder diary for three to seven days.
The days don’t have to be consecutive and it’s okay if you miss some entries during the day.
List your medications
Make a list of:
- Medications you are taking
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Vitamins or nutritional supplements
- Your medical history
- Diagnoses
- Conditions
- Operations
- Family history
Bring a friend
It can be uncomfortable to talk about OAB, but your doctor is happy to help you. Your appointment is the best place to get answers and treatment. You can bring a trusted friend or family member to support you and help you remember what to say and ask.
Ask about options
Some groups face greater challenges with OAB than others. Some women, including those from underserved communities, may face additional challenges accessing care and treatment for OAB.
When you talk to your doctor, ask about all of your options:
- Medication
- Minimally invasive treatments
- Physiotherapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Help you access what you need
Start the conversation
Ready to bring it up? Here are some easy ways:
Today I want to talk about bladder problems.
I want to talk about the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
Can we talk about OAB?
I have some symptoms that I would like to talk about.
I want to talk about bladder health.
Get the answers you need
Here are some questions to ask your doctor:
Can you help me with OAB?
Do I have to take tests?
What treatment options do I have?
What changes can I make to relieve my symptoms?
Would physical therapy help?
What’s next?
Speak for yourself. Help for OAB begins here.
resources
National Association For Continence – Symptom Screening Tool
The Urology Foundation – Bladder Diary
This educational resource was created with the support of Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.