Urodynamics is the study of the bladder’s ability to hold and empty urine. The test involves
measuring the pressure and flow in the bladder as it is filling with water and the flow through the
urethra (water pipe) when you pass urine. The test can help provide a diagnosis and help us decide
on the most appropriate treatment for you.
You may be experiencing bladder or bowel problems including incontinence. Urodynamics recreates
the bladder symptoms which enables us to accurately diagnose the problem and offer you the correct
treatment. The test may also be carried out prior to prolapse surgery, even if you do not experience
any problems with your bladder.
Most procedures have a potential for side-effects. You should be reassured that, although all these
complications are well-recognised, the majority of patients do not suffer any problems after an
urodynamic test. You may experience discomfort or blood stained urine when you pass urine for up
to 24 hours following the test.
Very rarely a urinary tract infection can develop following the test (1% of patients). If this occurs, you
will experience pain and discomfort when you pass urine and you may have a fever. You will need to
see your GP for treatment.
If there is a narrowing of the urine tube it may not be possible to pass the catheter into the bladder
which would require further investigation. Very rarely, women may not be able to pass urine following
the test (retention of urine), which requires temporary insertion of a catheter.
Observation and treatment of bladder symptoms may be helpful however without the information that
the test might provide surgical outcome would be difficult to predict.
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We ask that you submit a urine test for infection to your GP surgery one week before this
appointment because we cannot perform the study if you have active infection in your urine.
Please ensure that any medication for your bladder symptoms, e.g. Oxybutynin (Ditropan),
Tolterodine (Detrusitol) or Solfenacin (Vesicare), is stopped a week before your test.
You need to have a comfortably full bladder to have this test done. As a guide do not drink more
than 500mls and try to start drinking about 1 hour before you test time as it takes some time to fill
your bladder . You may find it easier to arrive for your appointment a little earlier than the allocated
time, to give you time to drink sufficient fluids.
Please try and empty your bowels before coming to your appointment.
Important Information: If you require antibiotic cover for the dentist or are allergic to shellfish, have
any questions about medication for your bladder symptoms or if you are pregnant, please contact the
nurses on 020 3312 1752 for further advice.
In the clinic you will meet specialist nurses and doctors who will conduct the test for you. The whole
test lasts for approximately 25 minutes, although please expect to be in clinic for longer as we need
to explain your diagnosis and treatment to you afterwards.
The first part of the test involves you passing urine into a specialist toilet that measures the strength
of your flow.
After this, you will be asked to lie down on a couch and a fine tube and catheter will be passed into
the bladder and a second fine tube passed into your back passage (rectum). The insertion of the
tubes is not painful.
We will then start to fill your bladder with sterile water or x-ray fluid and ask you to do a series of
coughs in sitting and standing positions. The tubes in your rectum and bladder are attached to a
computer so that we can get a full picture of your bladder activity whilst it is being filled.
In some cases, we may need to examine your bladder with x-ray or ultrasound views. This part of
the test is completely painless and lasts a few minutes. It does not require any more tubes to be
inserted.
We will also ask you to listen to running water and to dip your hands in the water to check your
bladder muscle.
We are attempting to recreate what happens to your bladder and mimic the symptoms you
experience. If you leak during the test please don’t worry or be embarrassed.
When this part of the test is complete, we will ask you to empty your bladder again into the special
toilet so that we can measure your flow rate.
Finally, the tubes are removed and you have the opportunity to wash and get changed in private.
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The specialist nurse or doctor will discuss the findings of the test with you. We can then recommend
appropriate treatment for you and a future plan of care.
We advise you to drink plenty of fluids after the test and you will be able to resume all your normal
activities immediately after the test.
If you have any questions or concerns about the test or medications please contact the
Urogynaecology Nurses between 9am and 5pm Monday on 020 331 21752.
Outside of these hours, please contact your GP or NHS direct.
Your results and a management plan will be discussed with you following the test.
You may be referred to other health care professionals for further advice and treatment outside the
hospital environment. We may need to review the effectiveness of treatment in our out-patient or
telephone clinic.
We aim to provide the best possible service and staff will be happy to answer any of the questions
you may have. If you have any suggestions or comments about your visit, please either speak to a
member of staff or contact the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) on 020 3313 0088 (Charing
Cross and Hammersmith hospitals), or 020 3312 7777 (St Mary’s). The PALS team are able to listen
to your concerns, suggestions or queries and are often able to help sort out problems on behalf of
patients. Or visit www.imperial.nhs.uk/pals for more information.
Alternatively, you may wish to express your concerns in writing to:
The Managing Director
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Trust Headquarters
The Bays, South Wharf Road
London W2 1NY
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have queries or concerns.
This leaflet can be provided on request in large print, as a sound recording, in Braille, or in alternative
languages. Please contact the communications team on 020 3312 5592.
Imaging
Published: Aug 2014
Review date: Aug 2017
Reference no: 1099v2
© Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
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