Urology Social Story

Keeping a Bladder Diary- Patient Information Leaflet

What is a Bladder Diary?

A bladder diary is a useful tool that can be used to record the number of trips the toilet to pass urine (wee), to measure the volume of urine passed and any episodes of wetness or leakage.   

You will also be asked to record what you are drinking, how much, and when you are having your drinks. 

Why is completing a bladder diary helpful?

A bladder diary can help your healthcare professional, as part of an assessment, to better understand how your bladder is working.  

It provides information on the amount you drink, the amount of urine your bladder can hold, how often you pass urine, and any wetting or episodes of leakage.  

It may also help identify if there are any patterns or links which contribute to your symptoms. 

It is recommended to keep a diary of your bladder habits for at least 3 days, so you can give your healthcare professional as much information as possible, about your condition. 

What do I need to complete the Bladder Diary?

You will need a plastic measuring jug to measure the urine you pass. 

Some people find it helpful to measure the capacity of any mugs, cups or glasses they use regularly, so it is easy to measure the volume you drink.    

How do I complete the Bladder Diary?

Please complete this 3-day bladder diary by writing the following information in each column against the time. 

In the time column, please write BED when you went to bed and WOKE when you woke up.

Drinks: write the amount you had to drink and the type of drink e.g., water, squash, coffee, tea 

Urine output: write the amount of urine you passed in millilitre’s (mls) in the urine output column, day and night. 

 If you pass urine but couldn’t measure it, put a tick (P)in this column. 

 If you leaked urine at any time, write LEAK here. 

 Bladder sensation: write a description of how your bladder felt when you went to the toilet using the following numbers:   

0. If you had no sensation of needing to pass urine, but passed urine just in case, due to going out or being unsure where the next toilet is 

1. If you had a normal feeling to pass urine and no urgency. “Urgency” is different from normal bladder feelings and is the sudden feeling of wanting to pass urine. Urgency can make you feel as if you may leak if you do not pass urine in time.   

2. If you had urgency but this feeling disappeared by the time you went to the toilet.  

3. If you had urgency but managed to get to the toilet in time without leaking.  

4. If you had urgency and could not get to the toilet in time so you leaked urine.  

Pads: if you put on or change a pad put a tick (P) in the pads column. 

Here is an example of how to complete the bladder diary: 

 Bring the completed chart with you when you come to your next clinic appointment.  

If there are any other points you think are important, please write them down on a separate piece of paper. 

After your tests, the Consultant will discuss with you the results and any treatment of further appointments required.   

Your GP will be sent a report within 2 working days.  

References 

1. Bladder Diary. Available at: 

https://www.bbuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bladder-Bowel-UK-Bladder-Diary-leaflet-5.pdf  Accessed January 2025 

2. Bladder Diary. Available at: 

htthttps://cohese.healthcare/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bladder-diary.pdfps://gpcare.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Bladder-Diary-1.pdf  Accessed November 2025 

3. Urinary Input and Output Chart (Bladder Diary)- Information from The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) about assessing fluid intake & output. Available at: 

https://www.baus.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/patients/leaflets/Input%20output%20chart.pdf  Accessed January 2025