Talking to your doctor about incontinence

Talking to your doctor is the first step in managing your incontinence. But some people feel too embarrassed to mention their incontinence to their doctor. Here are a few tips on how to overcome embarrassment and get the most out of your doctor's visit.

Why it's worth it

Incontinence can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss with your doctor, but here are a few good reasons why it's worth it:

• Incontinence can usually be managed, treated, or even cured. Talking to your doctor can help you find a treatment plan.
• Incontinence can be caused by medical conditions outside of the bladder. If you don't talk to your doctor, these medical conditions could go undetected and untreated.
• Avoiding social activities and staying close to home to hide incontinence can leave you feeling isolated or depressed. Telling family or friends can give you the support you need to get out and enjoy life again.
• Incontinence can affect your productivity and job performance. Talking to your doctor can help you find a treatment plan to minimize the impact of incontinence at work.
• Speaking up about incontinence can help break the stigma of the condition, increase awareness, and encourage others to seek help.

Who should I talk to, and what if I'm too embarrassed?

Speak to your doctor. Your doctor can find out what is causing your incontinence and what can be done to treat it. This can give you a better sense of control over your condition and the confidence to speak to others. If you feel embarrassed, remember that your doctor is a professional who is there to help.

Reach out to family and friends. You may feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but remember that your family and friends will want to offer help and support. They may have already noticed that something is wrong and may think you are avoiding them. Telling them will help them understand what is going on in your life and ease the emotional burden of keeping incontinence a secret.

Remember that you're not alone. Incontinence affects over 3.5 million Canadians. You may already know someone whose life has been affected by incontinence, and hearing your story may encourage them to seek help, too.

Questions to ask your doctor

Before you visit your doctor, make a note of your concerns and the questions you'd like to ask. Here are a few ideas to get you started. You may wish to print this list and bring it with you to your appointment:

1. What kind of incontinence do I have?
2. What is causing my incontinence? Could it be related to my medical conditions, medications, or diet and fluid intake?
3. Should I make any changes to my lifestyle, including the fluids I drink (such as alcohol and caffeine), how much fluid I drink, and when I drink it?
4. What treatments are available and which ones do you recommend, and why?
5. What benefits can I expect to see from your recommended treatments?
6. What are the risks of each of your recommended treatments?
7. What kind of absorbent product should I use?
8. Other:
9. Other:

By talking to your doctor about incontinence, you've taken a very important step towards finding a way to manage your incontinence that works for you!

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Talking-to-Your-Doctor-about-Incontinence