Urodynamics (UDS)

Q 1. Why a urodynamic test is done?

A. Urodynamic test is done to get more information about your urination cycle and how your bladder muscles work. There are several urodynamic tests which your doctor may use to better understand your condition. These include uroflowmetry and cystometry (Filling and Flow).

Q 2. What preparation is required for UDS?

A. The tests usually don’t need a lot of preparation, but it is important to check in advance with a urine sample that no infection is present. Also check if you need to stop any medicine intake. The tests take about 45 minutes to complete.

If you have an infection, you should be treated with antibiotics before the urodynamic study can take place. Please bring the results of the urinary test to your appointment.

Q 3. Do I need to bring anything?

A. Please bring with you your voiding and volume chart (Bladder Diary), if you have been asked to keep one (this is a record of how often you pass urine, the measured amount you pass, and if you have any leaking in a 24-hour period). You are usually asked to keep this recording for three or four complete days.

Q 4. How is the urodynamic test done?

A.

Urine flow test (Uroflowmetry)

Your doctor may first start with the urine flow test.

• You’re given some privacy and asked to urinate in a special toilet. This toilet measures the force and flow of your urine
• After that, an ultrasound of your bladder is done to see how well it emptied.

Cystometry

• If you also need cystometry, you will be in a lying, seating or standing position.
• With a local anaesthetic, a catheter is inserted in your urethra. Another catheter is placed in your rectum.
• Both catheters measure the pressure in your bladder and your abdomen.
• Sensors on your abdomen monitor the activity of the pelvic muscles.
• Using the catheter, the doctor will fill your bladder with a sterile fluid and ask you to cough or bear down to test your bladder reaction.
• The doctor checks if there is any leakage of urine and if you feel the need to urinate.
• When your bladder is completely full, you are asked to empty your bladder while pressure is being recorded. At the end of the cystometry test, the catheters and sensors are removed.

Q 5. What to expect afterwards?

A. For a day after the test, passing urine may sting a little. If you think that you have developed a urine infection i.e. you have increased frequency in passing urine or an unbearable stinging or burning sensation on passing urine, please let your doctor know, and you may be advised to take antibiotics for a short period of time after the test to prevent infection.

You are encouraged to drink plenty of water for the next 24 hours to help ‘flush’ your bladder through, in order to try and prevent any infection developing.

Q 6. What are benefits and risks of this investigation?

A.

Benefits

• To reproduce your symptoms and provide an explanation for your bladder problems
• To demonstrate an underlying abnormality of storage (holding onto urine) or voiding (passing urine).

Risks

No matter how carefully the test is performed, urine infections can sometimes occur after it.