Urodynamics is the study of the holding or storage of urine in the bladder, the way the bladder empties, and the rate of movement of urine out of the bladder during urination. It is an outpatient procedure which is done in the office and typically takes about an hour. Urodynamic testing was developed to investigate a variety of bladder problems including urine frequency, incontinence (leakage), urinary retention (the inability to empty the bladder), and nocturia (getting up at night). And in some cases, urodynamics uncovers bladder dysfunction in patients who were unaware that a problem existed.
It is important that we have an accurate history of your urinary tract behavior prior to your testing. Therefore please make sure you complete the urodynamic questionnaire and two-day bladder diary before you arrive.
If the questionnaire and bladder diary are not completed, your test may be rescheduled.
You may eat and drink normally before the test. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.
The first part of the test involves simply urinating on a special computerized toilet. Therefore it is very important that you arrive for the test with a comfortably full bladder. If you have difficulty tolerating a full bladder (pain), please inform one of the nurses, so as to allow the proper emptying of the bladder.
After you urinate, a very small catheter is placed gently into your bladder. Then another catheter is inserted into the rectum or vagina. These catheters are very sophisticated, micro-measuring devices which together with a computer monitor, provide useful information about the function of your bladder, your urethra (the tube the urine passes through when you urinate), and the muscles of your pelvis
If you have prolapse (a dropping or bulging of the bladder, bowel, and/or rectum into the vagina) then a probe may be inserted into your vagina during the testing.
During the test, your bladder is gradually filled with sterile fluid. As your bladder fills, a special monitor will measure the pressure in your bladder. You may be asked to cough or bear down. If you have a bladder control problem, you may leak during this test. You should not be worried or embarrassed if that happens, since one purpose of the test is to determine the cause(s) of leakage problems.
The last part of the testing involves slowly withdrawing the catheter from your urethra while measuring the urethral pressures.
Urodynamics very rarely causes any complications or problems. Less than 5% of women will develop a bladder infection after this test. Temporary irritation may occur after the testing, resulting in a feeling of burning with urination; this usually only lasts a few hours and goes away without any treatment. Drinking adequate amount of fluids the day after your test helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). In addition, a warm tub bath with no bath additives may help to ease any discomfort.
- Some patients worry that urodynamic testing is painful, but most patients leave surprised that the test was so easy.
- If you are prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and you feel that you may have a current infection, please notify us so that the proper antibiotics can be prescribed to cure the infection. Urodynamic testing should not be performed when a bladder or kidney infection is present because it may give false results and may also make you very ill.
- If you have a medical condition such as mitral valve prolapse, artificial joint, or implanted prosthetics which require you to take antibiotics before visiting the dentist, please inform us so that the proper antibiotic can be prescribed prior to your urodynamic testing.
The results of your urodynamic testing will not be discussed on the day of testing. In order to allow time to thoroughly review your test results, you will be brought back in about 3-7 days to discuss further options and recommendations.
