Getting Ready to Talk to Your Clinician about Overactive Bladder

Talk to your clinician 3 out of 10 women in the U.S. have overactive bladder (OAB). OAB causes issues with peeing, can worsen your quality of life and won't go away on its own. Without treatment, OAB symptoms may become more difficult to manage. Talking to your clinician is important. Start with symptoms Not everyone experiences OAB symptoms in the same way. Your clinician needs to know your experience so they can help. Make a list of your symptoms and how much they affect you before your appointment. Keep a diary Prepare for your appointment by keeping a bladder diary. Include: How much you drink How often you pee How much you pee If you experience the urgent need to pee If you leak pee You can use a notebook or print out a bladder diary you can find online. Log what you can Keep a bladder diary for three to seven typical days. The days don’t have to be in a row, and it’s OK if you miss some entries during the day. List your meds Make a list of: Medications you take Prescription drugs Over-the-counter medications Vitamins or supplements Your medical history Diagnoses Conditions Surgeries Family history Bring a friend It can feel uncomfortable to talk about OAB, but your clinician ...