Anamnesis

The diagnosis starts with an interview of the patient, to take what is known as the anamnesis. A description of the symptoms and the answers to some questions (for which you should prepare a little before consulting the doctor) provide important clues as to what form of incontinence might be involved:

• Under what circumstances does loss of urine occur, for example, when coughing, sneezing, when lifting something heavy, while engaging in sports etc.?
• How frequently appears an involuntary loss of urine?
• In which way is the loss of urine: in sudden spurts, flood-like, constant dribbling?
• Is there an urge micturition?
• Are there times when urination can be voluntarily done?
• Is normal urination more difficult, for example, when it is necessary to urinate by the help of the abdominal press, or when the stream of the urine is interrupted again and again?
• Occurs often a cystitis?

It is also very helpful for the initial consultation if the person affected has kept what is known as a micturition diary. Micturition is the Latin term for urination. Keeping a micturition diary means nothing more than noting down all involuntary as well as voluntary urinations for a few days - but not less than 24 hours -, ideally with an estimation of the volume of urine passed. Fluid intake and other accompanying circumstances should also be recorded. This gives a good picture of the nature and severity of the incontinence.

The general practitioner can also complete from the anamnesis whether the patient had in the past other urological and gynecological diseases or still suffers by them or whether the patient has undergone surgery or has neurological and metabolic disorders.