Your First Visit

What to Expect

You may feel reluctant to discuss your concerns about urinary incontinence or other pelvic issues, but these are not uncommon problems. The good news is that there are many effective treatments available to you. Initiating a conversation with your doctor is the first and perhaps the most difficult step to treatment. Knowing what to expect can make talking about a sensitive topic easier.

During the First Visit
Your doctor will diagnose the type of incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse, assess the severity, and identify treatments. In some cases, more involved testing is needed.

Talking to your doctor
To identify what's causing the problem and determine the best treatment for you, your doctor will ask detailed questions about your urinary function. Talking in depth with your doctor may make you feel anxious or embarrassed. But urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are common medical conditions, and we talk about this seven days a week. Your doctor will want to know about chronic medical conditions, current medications, and your lifestyle. These factors can all affect urogynecological function.

Physical Exam
Depending upon your specific medical concerns, you may require a pelvic exam. In some cases, you will be asked to stand during the examination. Our surgeons may ask you to cough or squeeze during the exam. You will find the exam to be extremely thorough. If there is a problem, we will find it. You will be asked if you feel any pain or discomfort.

Urodynamic Testing
This test will help Zipper Urogynecology Associates determine the cause of your bladder problems. Physical examination and symptoms are not reliable indicators of the cause of bladder disease. Although Urodynamic testing often takes over an hour in other facilities, our team of experts typically completes your testing in about fifteen minutes. This test is not painful. There is a small risk of bladder infection. You will be provided with a dose of antibiotics to decrease this risk.

No preparation is required. Just show up and we will take care of the rest. During the test we will fill your bladder with sterile water through a catheter about the size of a piece of spaghetti. A computer will take pressure measurements of your bladder and urethra. We will also use tiny EKG type pads to measure the nervous activity of the urethra. No needles are used.

You will be given a follow-up appointment to meet with the doctor. Some patients will undergo a cystoscopy. Cystoscopy often provides additional information useful in formulating your treatment plan. Following this test your ZUA practitioner will take time to review the results of your test and discuss treatment options.

Selecting Your Best Treatment Options
Oral medications are the most common treatment for urinary incontinence. But these medications aren't effective for all women and often cause undesirable side effects. If the first treatment you try doesn't work, your doctor may suggest trying something else. For many women, a combination of treatments works best.