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 should know what you are experiencing so they can help you. Before your appointment, prepare a list of your symptoms and how much they affect you.
Keep a diary
Prepare for your appointment by keeping a bladder diary.
Register:
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How much do you drink?
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How often do you urinate?
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How much you urinate
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If you feel an urgent need to urinate
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If you have urine leakage
You can use a notebook or print out a bubble journal that you can find online.
Record what you can
Typically keep a bladder diary for three to seven days.
These days do not have to be kept and it is normal not to record everything during the day.
List your medications
Prepare a list of:
Participate with a friend
It may be uncomfortable to talk about OAB, but your doctor is happy to help you. Your consultation is the best time to receive answers and treatment. You can enlist a trusted friend or family member to support you and help you remember what to say and ask.
Ask about options
Some groups of people have more difficulty with OAB than others. Some women, including those from vulnerable communities, may experience additional difficulties accessing OAB care and treatments.
When you talk to your doctor, ask questions about all of the options:
Start the conversation
Ready to talk about it? Here are some simple methods:
Today I want to talk about problems with my bladder.
I want to talk about the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
Can we talk about the VHA?
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 you can ask your doctor:
Can you help me with my OAB?
Should I get tested?
What treatment options do I have?
What changes can I make to relieve my symptoms?
Would physical therapy be helpful?
What’s next?
Say what you need to say. This is the first step to getting help for your OAB.
Features
National Association For Continence: Symptom Screening Tool
The Urology Foundation: Journal of the Bladder
This educational resource was created with the support of Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.
