Bladder Diary

February 9, 2025

A bladder diary is a tool to track fluid intake, urination times, and urgency levels. It helps monitor bladder function and provides valuable insights for healthcare providers to diagnose and treat bladder issues. Keeping the diary for 3 days can help identify patterns and guide treatment.

A Guide for Better Bladder Health

A bladder diary is a simple yet effective tool to help monitor your bladder function. By tracking the amount of fluid you drink and the urine you pass, as well as recording any instances of urgency or accidental leaks, a bladder diary provides valuable insights into your bladder health. This information can be extremely helpful for healthcare professionals when diagnosing and treating bladder-related issues.

How to Use a Bladder Diary

What You Need
To get started, you’ll need a measuring jug to track the volume of urine you pass. Make sure the jug holds at least 500 ml and is marked in milliliters (mls). You’ll also need to measure the amount of fluid you drink.
Tracking Fluid Intake
Each time you drink something, note down the time, the type of drink (tea, coffee, water, etc.), and how much you had (in mls). This helps track fluid consumption throughout the day.
Tracking Urine Output
Whenever you pass urine, use the jug to measure the volume in milliliters. Record the time of urination and rate how urgently you felt the need to urinate. Use the following scale for urgency:
- 0: No urgency
- 1: Mild urgency, easily tolerated
- 3: Strong urgency, causing discomfort and interrupting daily activities
Recording Accidental Leaks
If you experience an accidental urine leak before reaching the bathroom, mark “yes” in the appropriate column. If you leak urine during activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise, place a star in the column and note the activity. Additionally, if you need to change your pad, mark a “P” in the column.

How Long Should You Keep a Bladder Diary?

‍
To get an accurate picture of your bladder health, complete the bladder diary for 3 days (these do not have to be consecutive). Many people find it easiest to do this over the weekend. Bring the completed diary with you to your healthcare appointment for review.

Why It Matters

‍
By keeping track of these details, a bladder diary can help your doctor better understand your symptoms, their frequency, and severity, allowing for a more tailored treatment plan. It also provides a clear view of how well your bladder is functioning and the impact it has on your daily activities.