For people with incontinence
Talking about incontinence can be difficult. Discussing your feelings about your current situation can open the doors to exploring available treatment options.
Talking to a partner or caregiver
- Can I share with you what I am dealing with and how I am feeling?
- I haven’t been feeling like myself. I worry that I may smell or be wet and not know it.
- My incontinence is bothering me, and I want to go to the doctor to discuss my options. Will you come with me?
Questions for a doctor who treats incontinence
- Why am I experiencing bladder or bowel control problems?
- Will my incontinence go away?
- Will my incontinence get worse?
- Could pelvic floor exercises help? How do I do them?
- Could the medicines I take be making my incontinence worse?
- What are my options to treat my incontinence?
- Is there surgery or other available options to treat my incontinence?
For loved ones of people with incontinence
Talking to your partner or loved one about their incontinence can be a tough subject to discuss. You may play an important role in their journey. Here are some ways to start the conversation.
Questions to consider about your loved one
- How often do they leak urine or feces?
- Do they leak when they cough, sneeze, or laugh?
- Do they ever leak urine or feces before they can make it to the bathroom?
- When arriving at new places, do they immediately look for where the bathroom is located?
- Would you like to help them seek treatment?
Talking to your loved one who has incontinence
- You seem hesitant about leaving home. Is everything okay?
- Lately, you’ve been visiting the bathroom more than usual. Should we talk to a doctor about that?
- I learned there are treatment options for incontinence beyond pads. Can we go to the doctor and ask about treatment options?
- I know you don’t want anyone to know about your bladder or bowel control issues, but I think it’s time to learn about options that can help.
- I know you are still leaking, so let’s go see a doctor who specializes in incontinence. I think learning more about treatment options might help.
Talking to a doctor about your loved one’s incontinence
Will their incontinence get worse?
Could pelvic floor exercises help? How do they work?
Could my loved one's medicine be aggravating their incontinence?
What tests might help to determine the cause of their condition?
Is surgery an option? Are there other available options that could help?
Taking the next step
If you’re interested in taking control of your bladder or bowel leakage, there are many ways to start your treatment journey.
