I know I harp on this all the time, but I just can't over-stress the importance of seeing your doctor about urinary and/or fecal incontinence. I love the "Ask a Question" feature of this website because it's an easy way to share information, but it also has shown me how many people are still hesitating to ask their doctor about their pelvic health questions. To help nudge you in that direction, here's my "Top 10" list of reasons to speak with your doctor about incontinence...
10. It might be a simple switch! Sometimes incontinence is a side effect of a medication that you're on for an entirely different reason. You might see results after your doctor simply switches your medication, dosage, or timing.
9. You might be doing your Kegels in vain! I've heard from people who say they don't need to see a doctor because they're already doing Kegels (pelvic floor exercises). They swear they've been doing them daily for years, only to find out (once I actually get them to an expert) that they've been doing them incorrectly. Also, pelvic floor exercises may be great for stress urinary incontinence, but won't really do a thing for overactive bladder. A doctor can help you determine what kind of incontinence you have and recommend a treatment option that will work for your specific situation.
8. You can find help! There are many treatment options available for incontinence. Sometimes people assume nothing can be done, or they decide (without speaking to a doctor) that they don't want the one treatment they're aware of ("I don't want surgery, so why bother talking to my doctor?") The truth is that new treatments are being developed all the time, and there are many options available. Your doctor can talk to you about all of your options so you can make an informed decision.
7. The doctor has seen (and heard) it all before! Your health is far too important to allow embarrassment to stand in the way. Just trust me on this one... your doctor has seen and heard it all before and will be much less embarrassed about it than you. If your heart wasn't working correctly or your leg was broken, you'd see a doctor. The same should be true for every area of your body - urinary and fecal issues included.
6. Incontinence is a clue! Incontinence doesn't "just happen" - it is always caused by something else in the body that isn't working quite right. Remember, your bladder and bowel are affected by nerves and muscle function, so if they aren't working right, that means your nerves and/or muscles aren't working right. It's important to find out what the cause is, because it could be a clue to a larger problem.
5. It's something in the food (maybe)! The foods and drinks that we consume pass through our bladder and bowel at some point, and certain foods and drinks can actually contribute to incontinence by irritating the lining of our bladder (leading to urinary incontinence) or causing constipation (leading to overflow fecal incontinence). Along with ruling out other possible causes, a health professional can also recommend simple dietary changes that might affect your continence.
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