A bladder diary records drinks, toilet visits, urgency and leaks over a short period. It can help you explain patterns to a GP, continence nurse or pelvic health physiotherapist. It does not diagnose the cause of symptoms, and you do not need a completed diary before asking for care.
This preparation guide is for adults.
Last updated 30 October 2026
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Find a diary template
Continence Health Australia provides a bladder diary through its continence-assessment resource page. Look for “Bladder diary template” in the resources section.
Find the bladder diary at Continence Health Australia
If your clinician has asked you to keep a diary, follow their advice about what to record and for how long. If you cannot download or print the form, ask whether you can use a paper notebook or another accessible format.
What information is useful?
Useful details may include:
- Drinks: when you drink, what you drink and the amount.
- Toilet visits: when you wee, including overnight visits.
- Urine amount: record this if requested; ask how to measure it if you are unsure.
- Urgency: whether you had a sudden need to wee and how strong it felt.
- Leaks: when they happened and what you were doing, such as coughing, exercising or trying to reach the toilet.
Continence Health Australia explains how these records can support assessment.
Keep the record practical and private
Keep your completed diary somewhere private and have it available during your appointment. There is no need to enter your health information on this page.
If you miss an entry, leave it blank or mark it “not recorded”. An incomplete record can still help the discussion. Tell your clinician if measuring, writing or remembering entries is difficult, so you can agree on a workable approach.
Recording symptoms is different from bladder training. Do not use the diary as instructions to delay going to the toilet; ask your clinician whether a supported training programme is appropriate for you.
Questions to discuss
Your experience matters alongside the entries. Note whether symptoms affect sleep, exercise, work, travel or confidence, and what you would most like help with.
Useful questions include:
- What does this pattern suggest, and what else needs checking?
- Do I need any tests or an examination?
- Which changes or treatments could suit me?
- When should we review whether the plan is helping?
Do not delay care to finish a diary
Go to an emergency department if your bladder feels full but you cannot wee at all. Read healthdirect’s advice on urinary retention.
Contact a doctor straight away if you notice blood in your urine. New pain, burning or worsening symptoms also need medical advice.
Go to an emergency department if you have fever or chills with back or side pain, nausea or vomiting. These can be signs of a kidney infection. See healthdirect’s UTI warning signs.