If you have bladder continence problems there are professionals you can talk to and urinary continence services that will give you help, advice, diagnosis and treatment.
Usually the first place to go is your local health service, such as your general practice. You can talk to your family doctor or practice nurse about any bladder control problems.
Women can talk to a gynaecologist about exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and maintaining good bladder control. These exercises are especially important during pregnancy and after childbirth.
If you can't get to your doctor's office, your general practice can arrange for a visit from a healthcare professional, such as your GP or a community nurse.
First visit
During the first visit your symptoms will be assessed. If you are experiencing mild symptoms your GP or nurse practitioner may offer treatment which could include diet, exercises and/or medications.
Referrals for bladder incontinence
You may be referred to a physiotherapist or continence care clinic where a specialist healthcare professional will assess your symptoms and help you with treatments for bladder incontinence. This could be a specialist physiotherapist or a Continence nurse advisor.
If you are pregnant or have a pregnancy-related problem, you might go to a gynaecologist or obstetrician.
If you need a consultant's assessment, your healthcare adviser will send you to a urologist. If you need surgery, you'll be seen by a urological surgeon.
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General Practice/family doctor
Nursing and continence care
Continence nurses and nurse specialists work both in hospitals and the community.
Urology nurses work with urological consultants and urogynaecological nurses in the gynaecological specialty. Nurses can do assessments and provide help with some treatments.
Exercise and Diet
Physiotherapists help with specific exercises for the pelvic muscles and daily exercise routines.
Nutritionists and dietitians help with dietary advice and nutrition plans to help resolve bladder incontinence.
Pregnancy and childbirth, gynaecology
Women will see a gynaecologist and obstetrician during their pregnancy, both of whom can help with bladder continence care advice and assessment, as can a urogynaecologist.
Consultants and specialist physicians
Urinary incontinence specialists include urologists and urological surgeons. The specialism is also known as genitourinary medicine and includes both urinary and reproductive specialists.