What is Urodynamic Testing?
A Urodynamic Study is actually a SERIES of tests designed to thoroughly evaluate bladder and urethral function. In order to understand every detail of your bladder problem, these tests record very precise scientific data on your bladder’s ability to store and empty urine. These studies are conducted to evaluate leaking urine, difficulty emptying the bladder, frequent urination, recurrent infections, blood in the urine and loss of bladder support.
Urodynamic testing is a series of bladder tests that are done in order to observe how your lower urinary tract reacts under certain conditions. It is usually done to see if you have problems with loss of urine (urinary incontinence) or to figure out what type of incontinence you may have. Testing usually consists of filling your bladder with sterile water, then observing the pressure and how your bladder reacts under these conditions. When the test begins, the physician inserts a small soft catheter in your bladder and a tube is hooked up to a bag of sterile water. Your bladder is then filled to around 250 cc (approximately one cup), which most women can hold without needing to urinate. A second catheter, which is connected to a machine or computer, also is inserted. This catheter measures the pressures within your bladder. Once the bladder is filled, you will be asked to cough and strain in order to see how much urine you leak.
