Having a Urodynamic Examination

What is Urodynamics?

Urodynamics is a test used to give us more detailed information about your bladder, it is designed to assess bladder function which will help us to decide the best treatment for you.

The test will usually be performed by a Nurse Specialist or a Urologist.

During the test, you will be positioned comfortably on a couch and two small tubes will be inserted. One into the urethra (the tube from the bladder which drains urine) and the other into the anus (back passage). (Please ensure you are not constipated).

The test will involve filling your bladder slowly with water at a measured rate. You will be asked to cough and strain at intervals and to tell us when you feel the desire to pass urine. You will then be encouraged to hold on until your bladder feels quite full, then with the tubes still in place you will be asked to pass urine.

If one of your symptoms is leakage of urine, we will try to reproduce this so that we can see what the bladder is doing when the leakage occurs.

Patients may find this embarrassing but it is a necessary part of the information needed to treat your symptoms.

What should I expect before procedure?

The procedure may take up to one hour. Please be aware that you may be in the department for up to two hours. You are required to attend with a reasonably full bladder.

You will be asked to submit a urine specimen to test for infection prior to proceeding; if infection is detected we will have to postpone the procedure.

Please ensure that any medication for your urinary symptoms is stopped a week before your test. These include Oxybutinin (ditropan), Telterodine (detrusitol) or Solifenacin (vesicare), Tamsulosin, Doxazocin, Alfuzosin, Indoramin, Finasteride, Dutasteride, Trospium Chloride and Mirabegron (Betmiga).

Please ask your doctors surgery to test your urine 5 days before your appointment as we cannot proceed with the investigation if you have a urinary tract infection. Please contact the Urology Nursing team if you think you may have a urinary infection. Please complete the frequency volume chart which has been sent out to you with your appointment letter or given at your last clinic appointment. Also please make sure that you have opened your bowels on the morning of your procedure or the night before.

Please inform the healthcare professional undertaking the procedure if you have:

a coronary artery stent
an artificial heart valve
a heart pacemaker or defibrillator
a regular prescription for Warfarin, Aspirin, Clopidrogel
please also let us know if you have any allergies

Are there any side-effects?

Most procedures have a potential for side-effects the most common are:

discomfort in passing urine
bloodstained urine
urine infection
inability to pass urine (retention of urine), this will require a temporary insertion of a catheter (tube into the bladder) to relieve the problem

Occasionally we are unable to give you a definitive diagnosis and this may mean that the test will need to be repeated.

Instructions on discharge

Drink plenty of fluid, approximately one or two litres that day
It is quite normal to notice some blood in the urine following the procedure and up to 5 days afterwards
If you experience flu-like symptoms, shivering/shaking, any pain/ burning when passing urine or a high temperature, you should contact your GP as you may require a course of antibiotics
If you are unable to pass urine after the test, you should contact your GP, failing that attend your local Accident and Emergency Department stating that you have had a procedure called Urodynamics

Please inform us at least a week if you think you no longer need this procedure or are unable to attend for any reason.