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Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis
How is urinary incontinence diagnosed?
To diagnose urinary incontinence, your doctor will ask about your past health. You'll have a physical exam and be asked about any symptoms. Depending on your symptoms, you may have a pelvic exam. Or if your symptoms could be caused by prostate problems, you may have a rectal exam.
Your doctor will ask about what and how much you drink. You will also be asked how much and how often you urinate and leak urine. It may be easier for you to answer questions if you keep track of these things using a bladder diary for 3 or 4 days before you see your doctor.
You'll also be asked about any medicines you take.
Your doctor will check a sample of your urine. Depending on your results, or if your doctor thinks that your problem may have more than one cause, you may have more tests.
Other tests may include:
- A urine culture. It finds bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections or prostatitis.
- A bladder stress test. It simulates the accidental release of urine that may occur when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise.
- A post-void residual volume test. It measures the amount of urine left after you empty your bladder.
- Urodynamic testing. It is a group of tests to check how well the urinary tract stores and releases urine.
Condition Spotlight
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.