You may be asked to keep a ‘voiding’ diary. Voiding means passing urine.
Over a few days, you will be asked to write down things like:
- The number of times you go to the toilet during the day to pass urine;
- The number of times you get up during the night to pass urine;
- The approximate time of the day you go to the toilet;
- The amount of urine you pass;
- How often do you feel that you’ve not been able to completely empty your bladder?;
- How often do you ‘stop and start’ when going to the toilet;
- How often do you find it difficult to hold your urine?;
- How often have you noticed a weak stream of urine or urine not flowing as quickly as usual?
- If you have to push to make the urine start flowing;
- What and how much you drank e.g. tea, coffee, water.
The diary is a good way to find out more about your symptoms and can be used to decide on the best treatment for you.