Urodynamics

Urodynamics is a test used to evaluate problems of urinary leakage, irritable bladder, and voiding difficulty. The test is performed in the office and no sedation is required. The test is actually interactive, and we will ask you multiple questions throughout to determine how your bladder is feeling. Urodynamics is actually a combination of several tests that evaluate various components of bladder and urethral function. Uroflowmetry allows us to measure the amount and speed of your urine flow as you urinate into a funnel attached to a computer. The second exam measures residual urine. We will insert a catheter into the bladder to find out if you are emptying it completely. We will then perform the cystometrogram. This test requires the insertion of a small catheter into the bladder and the placement of a similar small tube into the vagina or rectum depending on your anatomy. The bladder will then be filled with water. As the bladder fills, we will ask you to report the sensations you experience, including when you feel full and when you feel you make leak urine. Our goal is to reproduce the symptoms you usually experience. During this test we will compare your symptoms to the pressures we record in the bladder and urethra. This will allow us to accurately diagnose and treat your problem. Depending on your symptoms and the findings from these tests, we may perform a cough profile or a urethral pressure profile. These tests allow us to measure the pressure in your urethra and see how your urethra responds to stressful situations like coughing. After this part of the test you will be asked to urinate the water that has been placed into the bladder. During your void, we will measure the bladder pressure. This test will determine problems of urination. Throughout the testing, we will also measure the activity of the pelvic floor muscles. This can help identify neurological causes for bladder dysfunction. The test takes approximately one hour. Please be prepared to spend additional time with us that visit, as we will usually review the findings following the test and discuss treatment options based on the results.