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3. Urinary Incontinence in Women Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Regardless of whether you have microscopic or gross hematuria, your health-care provider will ask questions to try to discover the cause.

• You will be asked about your medical condition and history, particularly whether you have ever had blood in the urine before.
• You will be asked about what medications you take or have taken in the past, including over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs or drugs of abuse, herbs, supplements, and other alternative products.
• You will be asked whether you have had any recent illnesses, accidents, surgeries, or medical procedures or tests.
• You may be asked whether you have traveled outside the United States.
• You will be asked about your work history and about exposures to toxic chemicals.
• You will be asked about your lifestyle and habits, including smoking, diet, and exercise.
• You will be asked about your urinary habits and recent changes in your urinary habits.
• Questions about your sexual activity and practices might be asked.

Laboratory tests: After the initial examination, laboratory and imaging studies may be performed.

• Urine "dipstick": This will probably be the first test performed in the emergency department or medical office. A strip of chemically treated paper is dipped into a cup containing a sample of your urine. The paper will show different colors to indicate the presence of blood, protein, glucose, or infection. Under certain conditions the dipstick can give a false-positive result for blood.
• Urine analysis (urinalysis): A formal urinalysis usually follows the dipstick test. Urinalysis is more accurate and gives a better idea of what is causing the bleeding. This is usually not done in the doctor's office but at a laboratory where the doctor sends the urine. The presence of protein in the urine, for example, signifies that a kidney problem is causing the hematuria. The urine is examined under a microscope to look for red blood cells and white blood cells (which signify infection) as well as other cells and materials that may be present in the urine.
• Urine culture: A small amount of the urine is brushed on a special dish and placed in an incubator. Unusual bacterial growth indicates a urinary tract infection.

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