Behind every pee leak is an explanation: a weakened pelvic floor, a bladder that can’t hold as much as it should, overactive muscles around the bladder, and more. If you’re on a journey to figure out what’s going on with your bladder leaks, there are a few people you may want to have in your back pocket.
Today, we’d like to introduce you to five of the medical professionals that can help you gain insight into your bladder leaks and potential treatment or management options. Let’s meet the doctors! And if you’re on the lookout for a specialist, our practitioner directory is an excellent resource for finding an incontinence-focused healthcare provider near you.
Urologist - A urologist is a doctor who specializes in the urinary tract, which in women includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. In short, they know all about the system responsible for the creation and excretion of pee. A urologist will also be an expert in the pelvic floor if you’re dealing with any kind of pelvic organ prolapse. A urogynecologist is even more specialized, with a specific focus on conditions of the urinary tract and reproductive system in women.
Here are some situations when you (may) need a urologist or urogynecologist:
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Bladder leaks with pain
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Frequent UTIs alongside bladder leaks
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Bladder leaks plus a history of kidney or bladder problems
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Overactive bladder (peeing 8+ times per day and experiencing leaks)
OB-GYN - An obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) is a medical doctor with special training in the female reproductive system and pregnancy/childbirth. About 40% of adult women in the US see an OB-GYN annually for care. That ongoing relationship can be a real asset if you develop bladder leaks, either due to pregnancy/postpartum or for some other reason. As with all of these specialists, your OB-GYN can be a resource to learn about the possible interventions, and help determine the cause.
Here are some situations when you (may) need a OB-GYN:
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Stress incontinence during or after pregnancy
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Bladder leaks before menopause
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Bladder leaks with known pelvic floor weakness or pelvic organ prolapse
Here at Attn: Grace, our medical advisor Dr. Barbara Frank is an OB-GYN who has been an incredible ongoing resource on a variety of women’s health topics, from discussing pelvic health to answering all of your burning questions.
Neurologist - If you have a neurological condition that affects your nerve signals to the bladder, you may experience overflow incontinence. This happens when your nerves don’t sense that the bladder is full and therefore you don’t empty it in time. A neurologist is a doctor specializing in the brain and nervous system and is an expert in conditions that impact nerve impulses. Examples include MS and diabetes, both of which can trigger bladder leaks.
Here are some situations when you (may) need a neurologist:
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Overflow incontinence; you don’t get the urge to pee (or fail to empty your bladder fully) resulting in leaks
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Bladder leaks alongside a neurological condition
Geriatrician - A geriatrician is a medical doctor that specializes in older adults. Just as pediatricians focus on babies and kids, geriatricians have extra experience with patients who are in an older life stage. Because bladder leaks are increasingly common as we age, this kind of specialist has conversations about them every day. They may be helpful especially in cases of functional incontinence, when a person can’t get to the bathroom in time due to mobility or memory challenges.
Here are some situations when you (may) need a geriatrician:
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Functional incontinence due to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia or limited mobility
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As a caregiver for an older adult that has bladder leaks
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Stress incontinence after menopause
Physical Therapist - Physical therapy, especially with a therapist who is trained in pelvic floor PT, is helpful for many women experiencing bladder leaks. A physical therapist helps a person with weakness, injury, or illness to rehabilitate their strength and mobility. In the case of pelvic floor PT, the physical therapist is going to be really focused on helping a patient bring awareness to and strengthen their pelvic floor through different exercises.
A licensed physical therapist has significant schooling and training but is not a medical doctor and will not provide a medical diagnosis. As a result, physical therapy is often complementary to treatment with your primary care doctor, or another one of the specialists mentioned. We are so obsessed with all the possibilities of pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) for women living with bladder leaks that we’ve written numerous blog posts about it. Two more great resources if you’re curious about PFPT are friends of Attn: Grace, Dr. Marcy Crouch (AKA The Down There Doc) and Dr. Sara Reardon (AKA The Vagina Whisperer). Find dozens more around the country in our specialist directory.
Here are some situations when you (may) need a pelvic-floor specialized physical therapist:
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At the recommendation of your doctor
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Stress incontinence during or after pregnancy
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Bladder leaks after an illness, injury, or surgery that require physical rehabilitation
Dealing with pee leaks is one of those things that can feel isolating and like you’re the only one experiencing it. Take this list as a reminder that not only are bladder leaks extremely common, but also that there are multiple medical specialties that are trained to diagnose and treat the conditions that cause them. For these doctors, talking about and treating bladder leaks is routine and they can help you. Til’ then, stay comfy and keep your skin protected with our dermatologist-approved lineup of pads, wipes, and other bladder leak products.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This content is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.