Am I Seeing the Right Doctor for My Bladder Control Problem?

Look for a doctor who can offer the full range of treatment options for your bladder control symptoms. If your symptoms don't improve with the first treatment you try, don't give up!

Keep looking until you find a doctor that's right for you. It sometimes takes a while to find a doctor you feel comfortable with, who understands your condition and is willing to work with you to try a range of treatments until you find something that works for you.

Need help finding a doctor who can provide the best treatment option for your symptoms? Enter your ZIP code below to see a list of specialists in your area.

Primary Care Doctors May Offer Limited Treatment Options

Many people begin with their primary-care doctors, either a family practice doctor or internist. Because these doctors treat such a wide range of conditions, they may not have in-depth knowledge of the most current treatment options for bladder control problems. Primary care doctors may prescribe Kegel exercises or medications for bladder control problems. But these doctors generally do not conduct diagnostic tests or prescribe more advanced treatments.

Not sure who to call? Below is a guide to several kinds of doctors and what they do.

Primary Care Doctors

Family practice doctor:

• Sees patients of all ages and cares for every organ and every disease
• May not have in-depth knowledge of all treatment options for bladder control issues
• Can refer you to a specialist for diagnostic tests or more advanced treatments

Internist:

• Sees adults and focuses on preventing and treating adult diseases
• May not have in-depth knowledge of all treatment options for bladder control issues
• Can refer you to a specialist for diagnostic tests or more advanced treatments

Specialists

Urogynecologist:

• Specializes in caring for women with pelvic floor disorders, including bladder control problems
• Often practices at a hospital affiliated with a university, or at a clinic that specializes in pelvic floor disorders
• Training after medical school includes 4 years of residency training and 1 year as chief resident and 2-year fellowship training in urogynecology/reconstructive pelvic surgery
• May specialize in the treatment of bladder control problems.

Urologist:

• Specializes in diseases of the urinary organs in women and in the urinary and sex organs in men
• Trained to diagnose, treat and manage patients with urological disorders
• Training after medical school includes 5 or 6 years of residency training, depending on the program
• May include a 1- or 2-year fellowship training program to specialize in pediatrics, infertility, oncology, laparoscopy/robotics, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive pelvic surgery (or female urology)
• Often specializes in male or female urology

Gynecologist:

• Specializes in women's health, including care of the reproductive organs, breasts, sexual function and hormonal disorders
• Treats pelvic organs and urinary tract problems
• Training after medical school includes 4 years of residency training and 1 year as chief resident
• May include 2-year fellowship training to specialize in areas of gynecology such as urogynecology/reconstructive pelvic surgery
• May specialize in the treatment of bladder control problems

 

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