Urodynamic testing

Urodynamic testing looks at how well the bladder, sphincter, and urethra store and release urine. Your health care provider may recommend this testing to help find the cause of problems related to:

• Frequent urination
• Painful urination
• Problems emptying the bladder completely
• Problems starting a urine stream
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Sudden, strong urges to urinate 
• Urine leakage

The most common urodynamic tests are:

• Cystometry (CMG)
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Post Void Residual (PVR)
• Uroflowmetry
• Voiding Pressure Study (Pressure Flow Study)

Testing measures how much urine your bladder typically holds, how long it takes for you to produce a urine stream, if you leak urine, and how well you are able to empty your bladder. These tests may use:

• Imaging equipment to take pictures of the bladder filling and emptying
• Pressure monitors to record the pressure inside the bladder
• Sensors to record muscle and nerve activity of the pelvic floor

Most urodynamic tests ask that you come to the test with a full bladder. For some tests, you may need to make a change in how much fluid you consume, or stop taking certain medications. You may also be asked to complete a “bladder diary”, where you write down for a few days what fluids you drink and when you make trips to the bathroom.

Results for some tests are available right away. Other test results may take a few days to come back.