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Warning-sign checks

Urinary incontinence in women: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care for sudden loss of bladder control together with new leg weakness, numbness around the genitals or buttocks, severe back pain, or loss of bowel control.

    This combination can indicate serious pressure on nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord.

    Sudden incontinence with facial drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, or a severe new headache also requires emergency help because these can be signs of a stroke.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact a healthcare service promptly if you have visible blood in your urine, pain when urinating, fever with urinary symptoms, or new difficulty passing urine.

    These symptoms need assessment for infection, retention, stones, or another urinary condition.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if leakage is new, persistent, worsening, or affecting sleep, activity, work, or emotional well-being.

    You should also seek assessment if you have trouble emptying your bladder, repeated urine infections, pelvic pressure, or a vaginal bulge.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Urinary incontinence in women. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.