Urinary Incontinence in Women - Exams and Tests

SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS

To diagnose the cause of your urinary incontinence, your doctor will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. It may be easier for you to answer questions if you keep a bladder diary Click here to view a form. (What is a PDF document?) for 3 or 4 days before you see your doctor.

To check for stress incontinence, your doctor may ask you to cough while you are standing.

Your doctor may also order these tests:

Urodynamic testing

Urodynamic testing is expensive. It is typically done only if surgery is being considered or if treatment has not worked for you and you need to know more about the cause. It provides a more advanced way to check bladder function.

The actual tests done in urodynamic testing often vary. They may include:

  • Cystometry, a series of tests to measure bladder pressure at different levels of fullness.
  • Postvoid residual (PVR) measurements and X-rays or ultrasound. These are used to examine changes in the position of the bladder and urethra during urination, coughing, or straining.

If the cause of incontinence is not identified by the above tests, more extensive tests may be needed.

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: April 11, 2011
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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