How do I speak to my GP about bladder weakness?

It's normal to feel nervous about talking to your GP about your symptoms. However it really helps if you do some preparation before you sit down with your GP.

Sometimes in the moment we forget about specific issues that we're experiencing each day. Here are some tips on how to speak to them about bladder weakness:

Write down some notes about your symptoms

Avoid generalisations about your bladder weakness, remember the more specific examples you have the better in terms of helping your GP diagnose what's actually happening. Write some notes on the following before your appointment:

- How many times are you going to the toilet on the average day or during the night?

- Think about the duration when you're peeing? how long does one pee usually last? This sounds funny but you can count the number of seconds whilst you are peeing and note this down

- Do you feel a lump when you sit down on the toilet?

- How many times a day do you feel the urge to pee

- Do you struggle to empty your bladder fully sometimes? How often?

Writing down what you experience before going to the GP will help you articulate your thoughts more and will help you GP understand thoroughly what you are going through. It is also super important to mention if you are bleeding when you wee. This is something you definitely need to mention for an early diagnosis for infection or even bladder cancer.

What kind of tests will my GP usually carry out?

It is common for a GP to conduct a dipstick test to see if you have a UTI, and so it is worth being prepared for that. This means you will need to provide a sample of your urine for the doctor and they will place a specially treated chemical strip into it. Patches on the dipstick will change colour to indicate the presence of such things as white blood cells, protein, or glucose. If you want to read more about the other tests that may be conducted then please read this article which has useful information in it on what your GP will be testing for and why.

Mention any medication you are taking to your GP

If you are prescribed a medication for bladder health, make sure to ask what potential side effects you might experience, and what it does to you body. Your GP should be able to tell you the pros and cons of each medication. You are empowered when you are in the know! Also tell them whether your diet has changed or any other lifestyle factors which may be playing a part i.e. more exercise, more fluids, stress etc. It is important that the GP can consider these when making a diagnosis too.

Ask for a referral if you need one for follow up treatment

Do ask for referral to secondary care e.g. pelvic floor physiotherapy or seeing the urology specialist team. Ask what the average waiting times are in your area. Unfortunately NHS wait times for urinary health can be quite lengthy, but knowing the time scale and being put on the waiting list means you are one step closer to creating a plan for your long term bladder health. It won't go away on its own so it's important that you prioritise yourself and your health.

Remember that most bladder issues are treatable so don't put off seeing your GP

Finally it's important to understand that most bladder issues are largely treatable, and shouldn't be treated as a normal part of ageing or natural consequence of childbirth. So many of us put off seeing our GP but it's important to be vocal about your symptoms and start working towards a solution!