Talking about bladder leakage, pelvic pressure or other pelvic-health concerns can feel personal. Knowing how to prepare can make that first conversation easier. This guide explains what to ask before your urogynecology appointment at SAAK Health in Brookfield and what information may help our team understand your concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Bring a current medication list, any relevant previous records, notes about your symptoms and a written list of questions.
- Describe when your symptoms started, how often they happen and how they affect your daily life.
- Your provider may recommend an examination or testing based on your individual needs.
- Call SAAK Health at 262.444.5148 to confirm paperwork, insurance, referral needs and your visit location.
What Can You Discuss With a Urogynecologist?
A urogynecologist focuses on conditions that affect the bladder, pelvic floor and pelvic organs. At SAAK Health’s Women’s Center for Incontinence and Pelvic Health, concerns patients may bring up include bladder leakage, a frequent or sudden urge to urinate, pelvic pressure or bulging, repeat urinary tract infections, bowel-control concerns, pelvic or bladder pain and urinary or vaginal changes around menopause.
You don’t need to know the name of your condition before you come in. Describing what you’re experiencing in your own words is enough to start the conversation. For an overview of the conditions our team evaluates, visit our incontinence and pelvic-health care page. If you’re wondering whether this kind of care is right for you, read why urogynecology matters for women’s health.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
Gathering a few items ahead of time can help your visit run smoothly and give your provider a fuller picture of your health:
- A current medication list. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, along with the doses you take.
- Relevant previous records. This may include earlier urine-test results, imaging reports, surgical history or notes from other providers who have treated your symptoms.
- Symptom notes. A few written notes are often easier to share than trying to remember details during the appointment.
- Your questions. Write them down so nothing important is forgotten.
- Your insurance card and photo ID.
Before your visit, call SAAK Health to confirm which forms you’ll need to complete, when to arrive and whether your insurance plan has any specific requirements.
How to Describe Your Symptoms
Pelvic-health symptoms can be hard to put into words, and many people aren’t sure which details matter. Organizing your thoughts around a few simple points can help:
- When it started. Did symptoms begin gradually or suddenly? Did they start after a life change such as pregnancy, childbirth, surgery or menopause?
- How often it happens. Is it daily, weekly or only occasionally? Has it changed over time?
- What seems to trigger it. Note whether coughing, lifting, exercise, a sudden urge or other situations bring symptoms on.
- How it affects your life. Mention whether symptoms affect your sleep, work, exercise, travel, relationships or confidence.
- What you’ve already tried. Include any exercises, products, medications or treatments you’ve used and whether they helped.
Some clinics ask patients to keep a bladder diary—a short record of fluids, bathroom trips and leakage—for a few days before the visit. Ask our team whether a bladder diary would be helpful for your appointment and, if so, how to complete it. Please don’t change your usual medications or how much you drink unless your provider tells you to.
What May Happen During the Consultation?
Your first appointment usually begins with a conversation. Your provider will likely ask about your symptoms, medical and surgical history, pregnancies, medications and how your concerns affect your everyday life.
Your provider may recommend a physical examination, including a pelvic examination, as part of the assessment. Ask what the examination involves and why it’s being suggested. You’re always welcome to ask questions or share concerns before it begins.
Some patients may need further testing to understand what’s causing their symptoms. SAAK Health offers diagnostic options such as bladder scans, cystoscopy and urodynamic testing. Which tests are appropriate, and when they take place, depend on your individual assessment.
You and your provider can also discuss possible next steps. These may include further evaluation, non-surgical options, surgical options when appropriate, or a follow-up plan. You can learn more about Dr. Sumana Koduri, a specialist in SAAK Health’s pelvic-health care team.
Questions to Ask Your Urogynecologist
A first appointment is also your chance to understand your care. Consider asking:
- What might be causing my symptoms?
- Do I need any tests, and what will each one tell us?
- What treatment choices are available, including non-surgical options?
- What are the possible benefits and risks of each option?
- Is there anything I can do at home while we evaluate my symptoms?
- Will I need a follow-up appointment, and when?
- What costs should I expect, and how can I check my insurance coverage?
- Whom should I contact if my symptoms change or I have questions after the visit?
There’s no such thing as a silly question. If an answer isn’t clear, it’s always okay to ask your provider to explain it another way.
Planning Your Brookfield Visit
SAAK Health’s Women’s Center for Incontinence and Pelvic Health is located at:
18200 W Capitol Dr, Suite 200, Brookfield, WI 53045
Phone: 262.444.5148
Contact our team to confirm current office hours and ask whether a virtual consultation may be suitable for your needs.
SAAK Health providers see patients at more than one location, so please confirm your appointment location when you schedule.
If you live in Milwaukee or Waukesha and are considering pelvic-health care in Brookfield, contact SAAK Health to discuss appointment availability. When planning your trip, allow extra time for parking, check-in and completing any forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral for a urogynecology appointment?Referral requirements can depend on your insurance plan. Call SAAK Health at 262.444.5148 to confirm appointment requirements, and check with your insurance provider about referral or authorization rules.
Should I bring previous urine-test results or medical records?Yes, if you have them. Earlier urine-test results, imaging reports and notes from other providers who’ve treated your symptoms can help your provider understand your history. Ask our team whether to bring copies or arrange for records to be sent before your appointment.
Should I keep a bladder diary before my visit?It may help, but ask first. Our team can tell you whether a bladder diary is recommended for your appointment and how to fill it out. Don’t change your fluid intake or medications unless your provider advises you to.
Will I need an examination or testing at my first appointment?Your provider may recommend a pelvic examination as part of your assessment and will explain what it involves. Additional tests depend on your symptoms and findings. Ask our team whether your appointment requires any specific preparation.
Request a Pelvic-Health Appointment
Have questions about preparing for your first urogynecology appointment? Call SAAK Health at 262.444.5148 or request an appointment online. Our team can help you confirm your visit location and preparation instructions.