Urodynamic Testing
What it is
Urodynamics is the study of the nerve and muscle function of the lower urinary tract and involves a combination of tests which may include:
What happens during urodynamic testing?
Urodynamic testing is performed in the office and takes approximately one hour. You will be asked several questions and a small catheter will be placed into your bladder so it can be checked along with your urethral function.
Your bladder will be filled with water and you will be asked to cough while pressure measurements are obtained. The testing may cause mild discomfort but you should not experience any pain during the study. You will be given a prescription for Macrobid and Pyridium at your appointment. Take one each after your procedure and again that evening before going to bed to prevent discomfort or a bladder infection. Pyridium may turn your urine orange and may stain your undergarments if you leak and are not wearing a pad.
Why it is done
Urodynamic testing is used to help your doctor decide the cause of your urinary symptoms and to assist in determining the best course of treatment for you. Some incontinence is treated with medication while other types of incontinence may respond only to surgery. The testing may also be used pre-operatively for some types of vaginal surgeries.
How to prepare
Avoid coffee, other caffeinated drinks, decongestants and diet pills for at least 12 hours prior to the testing. If your doctor has prescribed Ditropan, Detrol, Levsin or Elavil this medication should be discontinued two days before your appointment. Also, be sure not to drink more than your normal fluids. Do not urinate within a half hour of the evaluation. Call the day before the test if you have any symptoms of a bladder infection. You may need antibiotics or may need to reschedule the procedure.
Follow-up
Schedule a follow-up consultation with your doctor one week after the test has been performed. If your health care provider has also recommended cystoscopy (a short procedure which allows your physician to look inside your bladder to rule out any anatomical problems), this may be performed at the same visit.
Source: Los Olivos Women's Medical Group
Urodynamics is the study of the nerve and muscle function of the lower urinary tract and involves a combination of tests which may include:
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- Urodynamics (cystometrics)
- Cystoscopy (looking inside the bladder)
What happens during urodynamic testing?
Urodynamic testing is performed in the office and takes approximately one hour. You will be asked several questions and a small catheter will be placed into your bladder so it can be checked along with your urethral function.
Your bladder will be filled with water and you will be asked to cough while pressure measurements are obtained. The testing may cause mild discomfort but you should not experience any pain during the study. You will be given a prescription for Macrobid and Pyridium at your appointment. Take one each after your procedure and again that evening before going to bed to prevent discomfort or a bladder infection. Pyridium may turn your urine orange and may stain your undergarments if you leak and are not wearing a pad.
Why it is done
Urodynamic testing is used to help your doctor decide the cause of your urinary symptoms and to assist in determining the best course of treatment for you. Some incontinence is treated with medication while other types of incontinence may respond only to surgery. The testing may also be used pre-operatively for some types of vaginal surgeries.
How to prepare
Avoid coffee, other caffeinated drinks, decongestants and diet pills for at least 12 hours prior to the testing. If your doctor has prescribed Ditropan, Detrol, Levsin or Elavil this medication should be discontinued two days before your appointment. Also, be sure not to drink more than your normal fluids. Do not urinate within a half hour of the evaluation. Call the day before the test if you have any symptoms of a bladder infection. You may need antibiotics or may need to reschedule the procedure.
Follow-up
Schedule a follow-up consultation with your doctor one week after the test has been performed. If your health care provider has also recommended cystoscopy (a short procedure which allows your physician to look inside your bladder to rule out any anatomical problems), this may be performed at the same visit.
Source: Los Olivos Women's Medical Group
