When you first learn the statistics associated with women’s urinary incontinence, you may find them shocking. Here are a few that may surprise you:
– Two-thirds of all women with urinary incontinence never seek help
– Of the women who seek help, most wait on average more than 6 years for asking for help
– Despite low-cost conservative therapies that could alleviate symptoms, many women prefer spending between $1,000 and $1,500 per year on laundry, adult diapers and other coping mechanism rather get help from their doctor
– The primary reason women cite for not seeking help is embarrassment in discussing the issue
And if the above statistics about women’s urinary incontinence isn’t enough to have you fidgeting in your seat, check out these facts about the communication between women and their doctors on the topic of urinary incontinence.
Lost in Translation: The Discussion about Women’s Urinary Incontinence
If a woman does actually work up the nerve to speak with her doctor about her urinary incontinence, chances are that she may run into an unintentional communication roadblock with her doctor. Here’s how the conversation might go.
1. A family doctor or primary physician likely will not bring up the issue of pelvic health (studies show that doctors in the US, UK, and Germany all felt they had less time than needed for a full and thorough intake, including questions about a woman’s pelvic health).
2. If a woman does raise the issue of her urinary incontinence, however boldly or subtly, and the physician does not offer a direct response, the woman is likely to never raise the subject with this or any doctor again. The woman perceives the lack of response as a negative response.
3. If the doctor does respond to a woman’s query about her urinary incontinence, the physician is unlikely to have enough time to adequately explore the issue or educate the woman about her condition.
Wow, can you say “Venus … and Mars?” Unless the woman persists in raising the issue (and most women will not), the topic of urinary incontinence is dropped forever, dooming the woman to suffer in silence! In addition, research indicates that the woman is likely to rate her experience with the doctor poorly, even if there is a short discussion about urinary incontinence, because the woman will likely judge the educational period to be inadequate. And patients tend to rate the importance of physician-offered health education second only to clinical skill. With physician “report card” websites sprouting up all over the internet, this could not only drastically impact a physician’s credibility, but also fail to provide the woman with the help she needs.
What Does This Mean For You?
With the kind of interaction we described as being likely to occur, this means that you need to be a much stronger advocate for your own pelvic health than most women. You need to persist in seeking help for your urinary incontinence, keep asking questions, and don’t stop looking for a healthcare provider until you find the help you need. There is no right and wrong in the interaction we describe above. The system is simply not set up to accommodate this particular issue at this particular time, especially when it comes to working with your primary doctor.
But you can make a difference in your own life. If you don’t get the answers you need from your primary doctor, ask for a referral to a specialist, such as a urologist, urogynecologist, or a physical therapist specializing in women’s pelvic health. Plus, here are some articles that can help you talk to your doctor effectively to get the help you need for your women’s urinary incontinence:
How to Find the Right Doctor to Treat Your Urinary Incontinence
3 Steps to Prepare for Your Doctor’s Appointment
Lost in Translation? Getting Treatment for Urinary Incontinence
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