Many women that experience some urine leakage feel that their symptoms are normal, a part of the aging process, or a consequence of childbirth. As leaders in the field of urogynecology, Drs. Miklos and Moore know that you can live a leak-free life. But the first step is assessing your condition and developing a baseline of your current symptoms.
Since urinary incontinence can creep into your life gradually, it may be easy to lose sight of just how much the condition is impacting your daily routine. You may have begun to make modifications or adjustments to your activities without even realizing the extent to which your urinary incontinence is affecting you. What seems like small changes at first can add up to an entire lifestyle change – all based around the consequences of urinary leakage.
To help regain perspective, take this quick quiz focused on the symptoms of urinary incontinence. Remember that this is just a baseline tool – not a substitute for seeking the advice of a medical professional.
Question 1:
Do you experience a sudden feeling of urgency to use the restroom, accompanied by urine leakage?
- No (0)
- Slightly (+1)
- Moderately (+2)
- Greatly (+3)
Question #2:
Does physical activity, coughing, sneezing, or laughing cause urine leakage?
- No (0)
- Slightly (+1)
- Moderately (+2)
- Greatly (+3)
Question #3:
Do you experience small drops of urine leakage?
- No (0)
- Slightly (+1)
- Moderately (+2)
- Greatly (+3)
Question #4:
How frequently do you experience incidents of urine leakage?
- Never (0)
- Less than one time a month (+1)
- A few times every month (+2)
- A few times a week (+3)
- On a daily basis (+4)
Question #5:
When you experience leakage, how much urine is typically lost each time?
- None (0)
- Drops (+1)
- Small splashes (+2)
- More than the above (+3)
After reviewing the above questions, how many did you answer with a point value? If you chose answers B, C, or D more commonly than answer A, you may very well have a problem with urinary incontinence.
While this is not intended to be a definitive evaluation tool, total up the point values for each of your answers to these five questions. If you have a sum of 0, incontinence is likely not a problem in your life. If you find that your answers have a sum value of 1 to 8, then you may be experiencing mild incontinence. A total of 9 to 12 is generally considered to be evidence of moderate incontinence. A score of 13 or more is likely a sign of severe urinary incontinence.
Using this scale, one study found that the average score of an individual receiving treatment for urinary incontinence was 10.9. However, at Miklos & Moore Urogynecology, we see patients that are affected by urinary incontinence to a much lesser or much greater degree. The important factor isn’t the quantitative score, but rather the extent to which the symptoms are impacting your life. Both stress incontinence and urge incontinence can create serious problems in carrying out your daily responsibilities or enjoy life’s simple pleasures. You deserve to have your quality of life safeguarded for years to come, and we have helped many women to do just that by reducing or eliminating the extent of their urinary incontinence.
We routinely meet patients in our Atlanta, Beverly Hills, or Dubai offices that have been subject to the demands of their urge incontinence for far too long. There’s no reason to let urinary incontinence dictate any aspect of your life – from the trips you take to the fun you have with your kids. Long car rides and laughter shouldn’t be things of the past. Live your life urge free.
If you’re ready to take back your freedom in life and live urge-free, then Dr. Miklos and Dr. Moore are ready to help. With decades of experience in recommending and overseeing a variety of treatment options, as well as a record of excellence in laparoscopic non-mesh incontinence treatment, we have helped thousands of women and are ready to help you too! Don’t let incontinence claim any more of your days, get on the path to wellness today.