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Questions to ask doctor about urinary incontinence

According to the Mayo Clinic, your time with your doctor is limited when you’re seeking treatment for urinary incontinence. So the clinic has prepared a list of questions that you may want to bring to an appointment, and ask your doctor.

The clinic says urinary incontinence is not a dangerous condition, but it can be inconvenient and embarrassing for patients who suffer from it.

Fortunately, it’s treatable – although some treatments can be problematic in themselves.

Transvaginal mesh implants, for example, are marketed as a treatment for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. And the devices have been the basis of widespread lawsuits due to their tendency to fail and cause health problems. The most common reported problem is the vaginal mesh eroding and sticking through the walls of the bladder and vagina, causing severe pain.

The clinic says good questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What’s the most likely cause of the symptoms
  • Are there other possible causes for the symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests will I need and do they require any special preparation?
  • Is the incontinence temporary, or will I always have it?
  • What treatments would you recommend?
  • Are there alternatives to the primary approach you’re suggesting, and if so what are they?
  • How can I best manage any other health conditions in addition to the incontinence?
  • Should I follow any dietary restrictions?
  • Should I see a specialist and will my insurance cover it?
  • Is there a generic alternative to any medicine I’m being prescribed?
  • Would you recommend any Websites and is there any printed material I can take with me?

If you have a vaginal mesh implant, you should consult with a doctor if you have any ongoing symptoms or health concerns. If you have significant injuries, you should also consult with a mesh lawyer to discuss your legal rights.

See more information about urinary incontinence here:

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/urinary-incontinence/DS00404