A urodynamic test is a set of bladder function checks that shows how well your bladder fills, holds and empties urine. Your bladder is slowly filled with sterile fluid through a very thin tube while pressures are recorded, and you then pass urine into a special commode that measures the flow. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes and helps your doctor find the cause of leaks or emptying problems.
Key takeaways
- Urodynamics measures bladder pressure, how much the bladder can hold, when you feel the urge to go, and how well you empty.
- It is usually suggested when symptoms are complex, treatment has not worked, or surgery is being planned.
- It is done while you are awake, with no sedation, as your doctor will be communicating with you to figure things out. Most women find it awkward rather than painful.
- You may be asked to keep a bladder diary beforehand, and to pause some bladder medicines beforehand.
- Mild stinging when passing urine for a day or so afterwards is common. You will be asked to drink more fluids on that day to flush the bladder out.
What does a urodynamic test measure?
It measures how your bladder behaves while it fills and while it empties. The test reproduces your everyday symptoms in a controlled manner, so the doctor can see what is actually happening rather than guessing what the problem is from symptoms alone.
A full study usually has several parts:
Part of the test | What happens | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
Flow test (uroflowmetry) | You pass urine into a toilet fitted with a sensor | How fast and how strong your stream is, and how much you pass |
Leftover urine check | A quick ultrasound scan or small tube after you pass urine | Whether urine is left behind in the bladder |
Filling test (cystometry) | The bladder is filled slowly with sterile fluid through a thin tube | How much it holds, when you feel the urge, and whether it squeezes on its own at the wrong times |
Leak check | You cough or bear down with a full bladder | Whether urine leaks with effort, and at what pressure |
Pressure-flow test | You pass urine with the thin tubes still in place | Whether a weak stream is due to a weak bladder or a blockage |
Why would my doctor recommend urodynamics?
Your doctor recommends it when the answer to “why is this happening?” will change the treatment. Two women can have the same leak for very different reasons, and the right treatment for one may not help the other, and in some cases worsen the matter.
Common reasons include:
- Mixed symptoms. You leak when you cough or sneeze and also get sudden, strong urges. Urodynamics helps work out which problem is bigger. The site’s page on urinary incontinence explains these types.
- Treatment has not helped. Pelvic floor exercises, bladder training or medicines for an overactive bladder have not worked as expected.
- Surgery is being considered. Before an operation for leaks or pelvic organ prolapse, the test checks how the bladder works so the right procedure can be chosen.
- Trouble emptying bladder. A slow stream, straining, or feeling the bladder is still full. These can point to a voiding disorder.
- Repeated bladder infections that may be linked to incomplete emptying.
Not everyone with bladder symptoms needs urodynamics. Many women start treatment based on a consultation, examination and bladder diary alone.
What happens during a urodynamic test?
The test follows a set order. A doctor or trained nurse explains each step before it happens.
- Arrive with a full bladder. You start with the flow test, passing urine in private.
- Leftover urine is measured, usually with an ultrasound probe on your tummy.
- Thin tubes are placed. You lie on a couch. A very thin tube (a catheter) is passed into the bladder through the urethra (the short tube you pass urine from). A second small tube is placed in the back passage to measure tummy pressure. Small stickers may be placed near the vaginal opening to record muscle activity. This is not done anymore as we know it gives very inaccurate measurements – the proper way would be to insert needle electrodes.
- The bladder is filled slowly. You tell the team when you first feel the bladder filling, when you need to go, and when you feel you cannot hold on any more.
- Leak checks. You may be asked to cough, bear down or stand up to see if urine leaks; and you may be asked to listen to running water or wash your hands in very cold water.
- You pass urine again with the tubes still in, so that the pressure and flow can be recorded together.
- The tubes are removed and you can go home.
Does a urodynamic test hurt?
For most women it is uncomfortable and a little embarrassing rather than painful. The tubes are much thinner than a tampon, and a numbing gel may be used when the bladder tube goes in.
Being asked to cough or leak on purpose can feel strange. Remember the team does these tests every day, and the whole point is to see your symptoms happen. If you feel pain at any point, please say so, and they can stop or investigated further in certain situations.
How do I prepare for a urodynamic test?
Preparation is simple, but it makes the results more useful.
- Keep a bladder diary if you are given one, usually for three days. Note what you drink, when you pass urine, how much, and any leaks.
- Check your medicines. You may be told to pause bladder medicines for several days beforehand. Only stop what your doctor tells you to.
- Tell the clinic if you have symptoms of a bladder infection, such as burning or fever. The test will be postponed until an infection has cleared.
- Come with a comfortably full bladder, unless told otherwise.
- Wear comfortable clothes and bring a panty liner for afterwards.
What happens after the test?
You can usually go back to normal activities the same day. It is common to feel mild stinging initially when you pass urine, or to go a little more often, for a day or two.
Drink plenty of water to flush the bladder. Contact your doctor if you have any fever, lower abdominal or pelvic pain that is worsening, blood in the urine that does not settle, or burning that lasts more than two days, as these can be symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
Some results can be explained on the day. Other investigations are reviewed at the follow-up visit, together with your examination findings, so that a treatment plan can be reached.
When should you see a doctor about bladder symptoms?
See a doctor if bladder symptoms affect your daily life, work, your sleep or your confidence. You do not need to wait until things are severe.
Book a visit if you:
- Leak urine when you cough, laugh, exercise or rush to the toilet
- Get up more than once or twice a night to pass urine
- Have a weak stream, strain to empty, or feel you have not finished
- Have bladder infections that keep coming back
- Feel a bulge or heaviness in the vagina alongside bladder symptoms
A urogynaecologist will talk through your symptoms and decide with you whether urodynamics is useful to do. See the full list of urogynaecological conditions treated, or contact the clinic to arrange a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see or feel a prolapse myself?
Sometimes. Some women feel a soft, smooth bulge at the vaginal opening, especially after standing or in the shower. Many early prolapses cannot be seen at all, so a normal-looking vagina does not rule it out.
Is a dragging feeling in the pelvis normal after giving birth?
Some heaviness is common in the first weeks as tissues heal. If it lasts beyond your postnatal check, or you can feel a bulge, ask your doctor to check your pelvic floor.
Can pelvic floor exercises get rid of the heavy feeling?
For many women with mild weakness, regular exercises done correctly can reduce the heaviness. How much they help depends on the cause and how badly affected the tissues are, so it is worth being assessed first.
Does exercise make a prolapse worse?
Gentle activity such as walking and swimming is generally fine. Heavy lifting and high-impact exercise can make symptoms feel worse. A doctor or pelvic floor physiotherapist can suggest what suits you.
Can a heavy pelvis affect my bladder?
Yes. If the bladder has dropped, you may leak when you cough, need to go more often, or find it harder to empty your bladder easily. Read more about urinary incontinence and voiding disorders.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor in Singapore for advice about your own situation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your current treatment plan or starting any new medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it normal to leak when I laugh? It is widespread, but you don’t have to live with it forever. It’s usually a sign that your “hammock” muscles need some strengthening exercises.
- When can I start running again? Most professionals suggest waiting at least 3 months. Running is “high impact,” which means it’s like jumping on a hammock that is still being repaired. It’s better to walk until you feel strong.
- Why do my joints feel “wobbly”? During pregnancy, your body makes a hormone that loosens your joints. This can stay in your body for a few months after birth, making you feel a bit unstable.
- Can I fix the stomach gap at home? Yes, many women do! Focus on deep breathing and “corset” exercises rather than crunches. If the gap is significant, a physical therapist can craft you a specific plan for rehabilitation.
- Does breastfeeding affect recovery? Yes. Breastfeeding keeps certain hormone levels low, which can cause things like vaginal dryness or joint looseness to last a little longer. This is normal and will improve once you stop nursing.