Urologic and Kidney Health 251

Urologic and Kidney 

Health

Do you ever leak urine when you sneeze or cough? Have you 

ever had a urinary tract infection or kidney stone? Do you need 

to urinate dozens of times a day? Are you at risk of kidney 

disease? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you are not 

alone. Urologic and kidney problems are common in women. 

They can impact your daily life, physical activity, pregnancy, 

sexual relations, social life, and future health. But most 

conditions can be treated and, in some cases, cured. 

How a woman’s urinary system 

works

The urinary system is made up of two 

kidneys, two ureters, the bladder, two 

sphincter muscles, and the urethra. 

l	 Kidneys: Fist-sized, bean-shaped organs that produce urine. They are near 

the middle of your back, right below 

your rib cage. 

l	 Ureters (YOOR-uh-turz): Thin tubes 

that take urine from your kidneys to 

your bladder.

l	 Bladder: A balloon-shaped organ that 

stores urine.

l	 Sphincter (SFEENK-tur) muscles: 

Round muscles that open and close 

to let fluid pass in or out of an organ. 

They keep your bladder closed until it 

is time to urinate.

l	 Urethra (yoo-REE-thruh): A tube 

that carries urine out of your body.

The organs, tubes, and muscles in this 

system all work together to create, store, 

and move urine out of the body.

What does “urologic” mean?

“Urologic” refers to the field of urology. 

Urology deals with the urinary system, 

also called the urinary tract. 

Kidneys

Ureters

Bladder

Sphincter Urethra

Bladder

muscle

Sphincter

muscle

Pelvic floor

muscle

Urine
252 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

Signs of urologic problems

Common symptoms of urologic problems include:

l	 pain or “burning” when you urinate

l	 bladder control problems such as leaking urine, dribbling urine after going 

to the bathroom, and having frequent 

or intense urges to urinate

l	 bloody urine

l	 cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine

l	 a change in your urine color

l	 having a weak stream of urine

l	 long-term pressure or pain in your 

pelvis or lower abdomen

l	 long-term pain in the back or sides

What to do about urologic or 

kidney problems

See a doctor right away. You may feel 

awkward talking about urologic problems, but don’t ignore them. Symptoms 

may worsen over time if the problem 

isn’t treated. See your primary doctor, a urologist, a urogynecologist, or a 

nephrologist for help. A urologist is an 

expert in urine and bladder problems. A 

urogynecologist is an expert in women’s 

urine and bladder issues. A nephrologist 

is a kidney specialist. 

The doctor will ask about your health 

history and perform a physical exam to 

look for problems or abnormalities in 

your urinary tract. After the exam, medical tests may be ordered.

Common urologic and kidney 

conditions in women

The most common urologic conditions 

among women are:

Keeping a Bladder Diary

If one of your symptoms is loss of bladder control, start a bladder diary and 

share it with your doctor. The details 

can help your doctor make the right 

diagnosis. In a bladder diary, you track 

the following by the hour:

• how much you drink

• what you drink

• how many times you urinate

• how much you urinate

• urine leakage or strong urges to 

urinate

• what you were doing when you 

had a leak or a strong urge (such 

as physical activity, laughing, or 

sitting)

l	 urinary tract infections

l	 urinary incontinence 

Also common are:

l	 interstitial cystitis/painful bladder 

syndrome 

l	 urinary stones

l	 urinary system cancers

The most serious kidney condition is 

chronic kidney disease.

Urinary tract infections 

Nearly 53 percent of women will have at 

least one urinary tract infection (UTI) 

at some point in life. UTIs are serious 

and often painful. But most are simple 

to treat. You need to see your doctor for 

treatment.
Urologic and Kidney Health 253

Understanding UTIs

What is a UTI? An infection in the urinary tract

Causes Most are caused by bacteria that enter the tract through the urethra.

Risk factors • Being sexually active

• Previous UTIs

• Being pregnant

• Being postmenopausal

• Using a tube (catheter) in the bladder

• Having a kidney stone

• Having a weak immune system

• Using a diaphragm or spermicide for birth control

Symptoms • A “burning” or pain when you urinate

• Pain in your back, sides, or lower belly

• Frequent or intense urges to urinate

• Trouble urinating

• Passing only small amounts of urine

• Bloody urine

• Dark, cloudy, or strong-smelling urine

•	 Chills or fever

Diagnosis •	 Urine tests: A clean urine sample is tested for signs of infection and the kind of 

bacteria causing any infection.

For UTIs that come back, the doctor may use:

•	 Images of the urinary tract: x-rays, ultrasound, or a computed tomography (tuhMOG-ruh-fee) (CT) scan

•	 A cystoscopy (siss-TOSS-kuh-pee): a thin tube with lenses and a light used to look 

inside the bladder

Treatment • Most are treated with antibiotics.

• Drink plenty of water to help the antibiotics clear your body of bacteria.

Prevention • Drink plenty of water each day (6–8 glasses).

• Urinate when you feel the urge. 

• Use underpants or pads designed to collect urine instead of an inserted catheter.

• After using the bathroom, always wipe front to back.

• Urinate after having sex.

• Avoid using spermicides or diaphragms if they cause you to have UTIs.

• Avoid feminine hygiene products such as deodorant sprays, douches, and 

powders.

Impact on 

pregnancy

• If you are pregnant and think you have a UTI, see a doctor right away. A UTI can 

lead to premature delivery and other health risks.

• Not all antibiotics can be taken during pregnancy. Your doctor will select the right 

treatment for you.
254 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

Urinary incontinence 

Women of all ages have bladder control 

problems. These problems are called urinary incontinence (UI).

UI is the most common urologic issue 

among women:

l	 Between ages 18 and 44, about 24 percent of women have UI.

l	 More than 13 million Americans experience UI.

l	 Women are twice as likely to have UI 

as men.

For many women, UI is minor. For others, it affects their whole lives. Severe UI 

can lead to infections, skin problems, and 

sleep disruption. Women with UI might 

also avoid social events, feel depressed, 

avoid having sex, stop traveling, and reduce physical activities. 

One survey showed that most women 

live with UI symptoms for 6.5 years before getting help. Don’t wait. Most UI 

can be improved, and sometimes cured. 

Understanding UI

Types of UI and 

their causes

Stress: Slight urine leakage during physical movement. It often happens when you 

are physically active, sneeze, laugh, cough, or lift something heavy. 

It is caused by weak pelvic floor muscles (which support the bladder). Physical changes resulting from pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause often cause stress on these 

muscles. A cystocele (SISS-toh-seel), rectocele (REK-toh-seel), or fibroids (FEYE-broidz) 

can also lead to UI.

• Cystocele occurs when the wall between the vagina and bladder weakens and the 

bladder sags into the vagina. 

• Rectocele occurs when the front wall of the rectum bulges into the vagina. 

• Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in the muscle wall of the uterus.

Stress UI is more common in Caucasian women than African American or Hispanic 

women.

Urge, sometimes called overactive bladder: Frequent, strong, and sudden urges to 

urinate, even when the bladder isn’t full. It can cause you to leak a lot of urine without 

warning, such as during sleep. Causes include overactive bladder muscles and damage to bladder nerves and bladder muscles.

Functional: When someone has a problem thinking, moving, or communicating, 

which prevents them from reaching a toilet or from knowing when the bladder is 

full. Problems can include spinal cord injuries, being immobile, wheelchair use, or 

Alzheimer’s disease. 

Overflow: Urine leakage due to a full bladder. It is caused when the bladder doesn’t 

fully empty. It is rare in women.

Mixed: A mix of types—most often stress and urge.

Transient: UI that comes and goes because of a temporary problem.
Urologic and Kidney Health 255

Understanding UI

Diagnosis Ways your doctor may diagnose UI:

Medical history and symptoms: Your bladder diary will come in handy at this point.

A physical exam.

Urodynamic (YOOR-oh-deye-NAM-ihk) tests: They measure how much urine your bladder can hold and release. 

Stress test: You cough strongly and the doctor looks for urine loss.

Urine tests: Urine is checked with a microscope for signs of infection and the type of 

bacteria that may be present. 

Cystoscopy: A thin tube with a camera on it is put in the urethra to see inside the 

urethra and bladder.

Ultrasound: Sound waves make images of your urinary tract.

Treatment Your treatment will depend on which type of UI you have. Treatment may include some 

or all of these options:

Pelvic muscle exercises: Used to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, including Kegel 

exercises. (See page 256 for information on how to do Kegel exercises.)

Bladder retraining: Used to increase bladder control. You track the times when you 

leak or urinate, then plan in advance when you will go to the bathroom. You gradually 

increase the time between urinating.

Medicines: Some help relax or tighten sphincter muscles; some help stop bladder 

contractions.

Electrical stimulation: Small doses of electric pulses can make pelvic muscles stronger. These pulses can be given through the vagina or by using patches on the skin. 

Pessary (PESS-uh-ree): A removable device put in the vagina to help support vaginal 

walls and pelvic muscles.

Implants/Injections: Substances that add bulk to tissues around the urethra to help 

close it and stop UI. 

Implanted devices: A device is placed in the lower back to send mild electrical pulses 

to the nerves.

Surgery: If the bladder droops into the vagina (cystocele), it can be pulled back into 

place with surgery.

Biofeedback: Bladder training that uses electronic devices to help you learn to control the bladder muscles.

Catheter: A tube put into the urethra to drain urine. It is used when the bladder can’t 

empty due to physical or nerve damage.

Weight loss: Helps with some cases of UI.

Diet changes: Certain foods and drinks may increase your need to urinate, such as 

coffee, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks.

If you smoke, quit: It can irritate the bladder, make UI worse, and lead to chronic 

coughing.

Absorbent underwear or bulky pads: Used to catch leaking urine.
256 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

How to Do Kegel Exercises

This simple exercise helps 

make your pelvic floor muscles 

stronger. bowel leg urethra

womb

vagina

anus pubic 

bone pelvic floor pelvic floor 

muscles muscles

side view bottom view

First, find the right muscles. 

Your doctor, nurse, or physical 

therapist can help make sure 

you are doing the exercises the 

right way.

1. Try to stop the flow of urine 

when you are sitting on the 

toilet. If you can do it, you are 

using the right muscles.

2. Imagine that you are trying 

to stop passing gas. Squeeze 

the muscles you would use. If 

you sense a “pulling” feeling, 

those are the right muscles 

for pelvic exercises.

3. Lie down and put your finger 

inside your vagina. Squeeze weak bladder strong bladder 

as if you were trying to stop control muscles control muscles

urine from coming out. If you 

feel tightness on your finger, you are squeezing the right muscles. 

Don’t squeeze other muscles at the same time. Be careful not to tighten your 

stomach, legs, or other muscles or it can put more pressure on your bladder control 

muscles.

Repeat, but don’t overdo it. Find a quiet spot to practice. Lie on the floor. Pull in the 

pelvic muscles and hold for a count of 3. Then relax for a count of 3. Work up to 10 to 

15 repeats each time you exercise. 

Do your pelvic exercises at least three times a day. Use three positions for the best 

results: lying down, sitting, and standing. 

Be patient. It may take 3 to 6 weeks to notice any change in bladder control.
Urologic and Kidney Health 257

Understanding Cystocele

Cystocele (SISS-toh-seel) is also called 

fallen bladder. It occurs when the wall 

between the bladder and the vagina 

weakens and allows the bladder to 

droop into the vagina. Some studies 

have shown African American women 

to have the lowest risk of cystocele 

and Hispanic women to have the 

highest.

Common causes of cystocele are: 

• childbirth: Labor and delivery can 

weaken the muscles and ligaments 

that support and hold the vagina in 

place.

• strain from lifting heavy objects

• constipation and straining with bowel movements

• lack of estrogen after menopause 

that weakens vaginal and bladder 

muscles

• being overweight or obese

• heavy, long-term coughing

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

Interstitial cystitis (IN-tur-STISH-uhl 

siss-TEYE-tiss) (IC) is a condition that 

causes frequent discomfort or pain in 

the bladder and pelvic region. Symptoms 

vary from case to case and even in the 

same woman. You may feel mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense 

pain in the bladder and pelvic area. The 

pain level may change as the bladder 

fills with urine or as it empties. Women’s 

symptoms often get worse during their 

periods. It is also called painful bladder 

syndrome (PBS).

IC/PBS can severely impact daily life 

and lead to feelings of depression and 

frustration. It can cause a woman to 

urinate up to 60 times a day. The urge 

to urinate can be sudden and intense. It 

may feel also as if you have a full bladder 

most of the time, which is painful and 

uncomfortable.

Women with IC/PBS may want to be 

near a bathroom at all times. They may 

avoid travel and social activities. They 

may avoid sex because it causes pain or 

they worry about having to urinate often. 

Some women with IC/PBS have fewer 

symptoms during pregnancy. Others 

have more symptoms. Research has not 

shown that IC/PBS affects fertility or 

the health of a fetus.

Currently, around 1.2 million American 

women are estimated to have IC/PBS.
258 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

Understanding IC/PBS

Causes The cause(s) of IC/PBS is still unknown. Research is ongoing.

Symptoms • Urinary frequency

• Urinary urgency

• Long-term pain, pressure, or discomfort in the bladder and pelvis

• Pain when having sex

• Ulcers in the walls of the bladder

Diagnosis Opinions still differ about how and when IC/PBS can be diagnosed. Getting the right 

diagnosis can take years, because no single test can be used to diagnose IC/PBS. 

Your doctor will rule out other problems and diseases using: 

•	 Physical exam

•	 Urine tests to rule out infection and other health problems

•	 Cystoscopy with hydrodistension (HEYE-droh-diss-ten-shuhn) slows stretching of 

the bladder with liquid. This relieves symptoms in some women.

•	 Bladder biopsy

Many other ways to diagnose IC/PBS are being studied.

Treatment So far there is no cure for IC/PBS. Current treatment aims to reduce symptoms, lower 

pain levels, and improve quality of life. Many treatments can be used at once.

Treatments include:

•	 Bladder instillations. The bladder is filled with water or medicine. It can help 

stretch the bladder and may help lessen pain. 

•	 Certain medicines

•	 Over-the-counter pain killers and acid reducers

•	 Nerve stimulation with electric pulses. It helps reduce pelvic pain in some women.

•	 Bladder training to better control when you urinate

•	 Pelvic floor physical therapy to make pelvic floor muscles stronger

•	 Surgery, which is the last resort. Options include making the bladder larger, removing the bladder, putting electrodes into the body for permanent nerve stimulation, 

and burning or cutting out any ulcers.

Dozens of new treatments are being researched.

Coping with IC • Keep a bladder diary. Avoid foods or drinks that seem to increase your symptoms 

(such as acidic fruits, spicy foods, tomatoes, and coffee).

• Learn gentle stretching exercises.

• Get emotional support if you need it. (See the resource section on page 263.)

• Learn stress reduction techniques.

• If you smoke, quit.

• Learn bladder training methods to reduce how often you need to empty your 

bladder.
Urologic and Kidney Health 259

Urinary stones 

Urinary stones may form in the kidneys, 

bladder, or ureters. Kidney stones are the 

most common type. About 5 percent of 

women will have had at least one stone 

by age 70.

Understanding Urinary Stones

What is a urinary 

stone?

A urinary stone is a hard mass created from substances in urine. 

Causes The four main types of stones and their causes are:

•	 Calcium: These are the most common stones. They come from excess calcium in 

the body. They are made of calcium and oxalate (OKS-uh-layt).

•	 Struvite (STROO-vyt): These may come from having an infection, such as UTI.

•	 Uric (YOOR-ihk) acid: These are less common. They most often stem from chemotherapy, a high-protein diet, or an inheritable disorder. 

•	 Cystine (SISS-teen): These are rare. They are caused by a hereditary disease.

Risk factors Your chance of getting a stone is higher if you:

• Do not drink enough water and other fluids

• Have had a stone before

• Have certain diseases that can lead to stones, such as renal tubular acidosis (ASSuh-DOH-suhss) and irritable bowel syndrome

• Take certain medicines

• Eat a high-protein diet

• Are in your 50s

Stones are more common in Caucasian women than in African American women.

Symptoms • Long-term pain in your back, side, or groin

• Blood in the urine

• Fever and chills

• Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy

• “Burning” when you urinate

• Vomiting (when combined with the other symptoms above)

Diagnosis • CT scan

• X-rays

• Ultrasound 

• Intravenous pyelogram (IHN-truh-VEE-nuhss PEYE-el-oh-GRAM) (IVP): x-rays where 

dye is put in the body to better see the kidneys

Treatment • Drink 2–3 quarts of water in 24 hours. The stone may move on its own with 

enough fluid. 

For stones that persist, treatment options include:

• Shock waves used to break up the stone, called lithotripsy (LITH-oh-TRIP-see)

• A small tool with a camera put on it—a ureteroscope (yoo-REE-tur-oh-skohp)—can 

be put through the urethra and bladder and into the ureter to remove the stone.

• Tunnel surgery, where a tunnel is made through the back to the kidney to take out 

the stone.
260 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

Understanding Urinary Stones

Prevention of 

future stones

To find out what kind of stone you had and prevent future stones:

• Your stone will be tested. 

• Your blood will be tested.

• A 24-hour urine sample will be tested.

Prevention tips depend on the type of stone you have. Options include:

• Drink enough water to produce 2 or more quarts of urine a day—about 12 full 

glasses of water.

• Drink fluid with lots of citrate (such as lemonade).

• For a uric acid stone, eat a low-protein diet.

• For a calcium stone, eat fewer foods with oxalate (such as chocolate, coffee, nuts, 

cola, and spinach).

• For a calcium stone, avoid calcium pills, but eat enough foods that have calcium 

naturally to keep your bones healthy.

• Take certain medicine prescribed by your doctor.

Kidney disorders

Chronic kidney disease

Many kidney disorders exist, and the 

most serious is chronic kidney disease 

(CKD). CKD is the permanent loss of 

kidney function.

If you are at risk of, or have, CKD, take 

steps to prevent or slow down kidney 

failure. After all, 26 million Americans—

1 in 8 American adults—already have 

CKD, and millions more are at increased 

risk of developing it.

Understanding CKD

What is CKD? CKD is a slow and, most often, permanent loss of kidney function.

Over time—months to years—CKD may lead to total kidney failure.

Causes CKD may come from a physical injury or disease that damages the kidneys, such as 

polycystic kidney disease. Damaged kidneys do not remove wastes and extra water 

from the blood in the way they should.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of CKD. In fact, diabetes leads to 45 percent of new cases.

Risk factors • A family history of CKD

• Heart disease

• Being African American, American Indian, or Hispanic

Symptoms Early CKD has no symptoms. If you are at risk, ask your doctor about being tested for 

CKD.

Diagnosis •	 Blood test: A glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test measures how fast your kidneys 

filter wastes from blood. The rate is based on the level of creatinine (kree-AT-uhneen). A high level of creatinine is a sign of CKD.

•	 Urine test: The amount of protein in the urine is tested. High levels of protein are a 

sign of CKD.

•	 Blood pressure: High blood pressure can lead to, or be a sign of, CKD.
Urologic and Kidney Health 261

Understanding CKD

Treatment There is no cure for CKD. But your doctor will help you manage your CKD to try to 

avoid kidney failure. If the kidneys fail, you will need medical help to live. The two 

methods for the treatment of kidney failure are:

•	 Dialysis: The process of cleaning wastes from the blood with special equipment. 

•	 Kidney transplant: A donated kidney is put in your body. You will need to take 

medicine to keep your body from rejecting the new kidney.

Other health CKD increases your chances of having:

issues •	 Anemia (uh-NEE-mee-uh): Lower than normal number of healthy red blood cells.

•	 Acidosis: When blood acid levels are too high.

•	 Cardiovascular disease: Leads to heart attack and stroke.

•	 Bone problems: CKD can lead to bone mineral imbalance, causing weak bones.

Prevention If you are at risk of CKD or if you have CKD and would like to keep it from progressing 

to kidney failure:

• Control your blood glucose (sugar) level if you have diabetes.

• Lower your blood pressure if it is too high. Try to keep it below 140/90 mmHg. If 

you already have CKD, try to keep it below 130/80 mmHg. 

• If you have CKD, eat less protein and work with a dietitian to make sure you have a 

healthy diet.

• Take prescribed drugs, such as those for diabetes and high blood pressure.

Urologic Problems and Sexual Relations

If you have a urologic problem, it can affect how you feel about yourself and your desire to have sex. It can also impact your sex drive and physical comfort level. But urologic problems don’t need to mean the end of sexual relations.

Talk with your doctor about physical concerns and treatments. There are ways to help 

make sex more comfortable if you have pain. If you feel anxious or depressed, you 

can talk with a mental health professional or a support group of other women with 

the same issues. Knowing you aren’t alone and that other women with urologic problems have fulfilling sexual relationships may bring you hope and give you the courage 

to talk with your partner.

With time and an understanding partner, sex can remain an enjoyable part of your life.

Your urologic and kidney health

Although urologic and kidney problems 

are common in women, much can be 

done to treat them and improve your life. 

Recognizing symptoms and risks is the 

first step to resolving any problems. If 

you think you have a urologic problem, 

or are at risk of chronic kidney disease, 

contact your doctor for treatment. n
262 The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages

One Woman’s Story

After success at four Winter Olympic Games, I hung up my skates to become a motivational speaker and a member of the U.S. Speed Skating Board of Directors, as well 

as a wife and mother of two.

Like many new mothers, I had no idea that pregnancy could bring about a potentially embarrassing condition: stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the leaking of urine during daily 

activities. After giving birth to my son, I was so excited to have the chance to run again—

until I got about a block away from my house 

and realized my shorts were soaked. I didn’t 

understand why this had happened to me.

I was upset and embarrassed, and I did not I had no idea 

tell my doctor or my family what was happening to me. Instead, I tried to cope by wearing 

dark shorts, using feminine pads, and limiting that pregnancy 

my fluid intake.

After one year of fighting this condition by could bring about 

myself, I shared it with my doctor, who said 

that my pelvic muscles supporting the bladder 

and urethra became damaged or weakened a potentially 

during childbirth. As a result, my urethra lost 

its seal and allowed urine to escape with any 

movement from the diaphragm that put stress embarrassing 

on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, 

laughing, or exercising. condition...

I tried different therapies, including Kegel 

exercises, weights, and electrical stimulation, 

to strengthen my pelvic muscles, but nothing 

worked. After the birth of my second child and a consultation with my doctor, I decided 

to undergo a minimally invasive procedure to treat my SUI that involves the insertion of a 

“sling” made of a special synthetic mesh tape to hold up the urethra.

After the procedure, I returned home, and within a day or two was back to most of my 

daily activities. I resumed morning runs, and now one of my favorite activities is jumping 

on the trampoline in the backyard with my two children. My family has noticed a difference in my attitude.

My experience is similar to many women who have given birth, which is why I want to encourage women to talk to their doctors so they can treat and beat SUI like I did. It’s not 

something you have to learn to cope with. SUI is treatable. And while surgery was the answer for me, there are several other treatment options available to women. The important 

thing is to talk to your doctor about these options rather than suffer in silence.

Bonnie Blair, winner of five gold medals and a bronze for speed skating at the 1984, 1988, 

1992, and 1994 Winter Olympic Games.
Urologic and Kidney Health 263

For More Information...

Office on Women’s Health, HHS

200 Independence Ave SW, Room 712E

Washington, DC 20201

Web site: www.womenshealth.gov/faq/

urinary.htm

www.womenshealth.gov/faq/Easyread/

uti-etr.htm 

Phone number: (800) 994-9662, 

(888) 220-5446 TDD

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases 

Information Clearinghouse, NIH

3 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3580

Web site: www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov 

Phone number: (800) 891-5390

American Association of Kidney Patients

3505 E Frontage Rd, Suite 315

Tampa, FL 33607

Web site: www.aakp.org 

Phone number: (800) 749-2257

American Kidney Fund

6110 Executive Blvd, Suite 1010 

Rockville, MD 20852

Web site: www.kidneyfund.org 

Phone number: (800) 638-8299

American Physical Therapy Association

1111 N Fairfax St

Alexandria, VA 22314-1488

Web site: www.apta.org 

Phone number: (800) 999-2782

American Urogynecologic Society

2025 M St NW, Suite 800 

Washington, DC 20036

Web site: www.augs.org 

American Urological Association 

Foundation

1000 Corporate Blvd

Linthicum, MD 21090

Web site: www.urologyhealth.org 

Phone number: (866) 746-4282

Interstitial Cystitis Association

110 N Washington St, Suite 340

Rockville, MD 20850

Web site: www.ichelp.org 

Phone number: (800) 435-7422

The National Association for Continence

PO Box 1019

Charleston, SC 29402-1019

Web site: www.nafc.org 

Phone number: (800) 252-3337

National Kidney Foundation

30 E 33rd St

New York, NY 10016

Web site: www.kidney.org 

Phone number: (800) 622-9010

Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation

9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 400 

Kansas City, MO 64114-3367

Web site: www.pkdcure.org

Phone number: (800) 753-2873