Patient handout · Pain & Spine conditions
Bladder or Bowel Control
What it is
Some people have trouble controlling when they pass urine or stool. This can happen when the nerves that control the bladder and bowel do not send signals the right way. Treatment may help you get back more control.
Common symptoms
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Leaking urine before reaching the bathroom
- Waking at night to urinate
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Accidental bowel leakage
What to expect at GSMC
- At your visit: We ask about your symptoms and examine you.
- Tests: You may need X-rays, an MRI or other tests. Not everyone needs them.
- Your plan: We talk about your options, starting with the simplest steps. We decide together.
Self-care tips
- Keep a bladder or bowel diary to share with us.
- Limit caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks, which may make urgency worse.
- Drink enough water. Too little can irritate the bladder.
- Ask about pelvic floor exercises.
When to call us
- Burning when you pass urine, fever, or blood in the urine
- Symptoms that get worse or change
- Leaking that keeps you from daily activities
Go to the emergency room if you cannot pass urine at all, or for new numbness in the groin with bladder or bowel changes.
This handout is general information and is not a substitute for medical advice.