Urodynamics

A urodynamics test helps your urologist make informed treatment decisions.

Treatment

A urodynamic test measures the bladder’s ability to store and empty urine. Urodynamics attempts to recreate what happens when your bladder fills normally. Quite a bit of information is collected, and the study will assist a doctor in deciding how they wish to treat a patient’s problem. Urodynamics is the urologist’s best way to determine the function of a patient’s bladder. Other tests, such as cystoscopy or CT scan, can be used to assess the anatomy of the bladder.

Both function and anatomy are important in determining the cause of various bladder problems. If the patient’s problem is urine leakage, the study aims to determine whether the leakage is from an overactive bladder or from a weak urethra. If your study has been ordered because of difficulty with emptying, urodynamics can determine whether the problem is either blockage, or inability of the bladder muscle to contract. The treatment for each of these is very different, and only with accurate information can a physician make appropriate decisions regarding treatment.

While having the catheters placed into the urinary tract can be uncomfortable, there should be minimal pain involved. If pain is experienced during the procedure, the test will be stopped.