Urodynamics

You should allow at least 1 hour 15 minutes for the test. You can eat and drink as normal before the test, but we would like you to come with your bladder comfortably full.

If you are currently taking any of the below tablets for your bladder symptoms you will need to stop taking these 7 days before your test unless you have been told otherwise:

• Vesicare/solifenacin.
• Regurin/trospium chloride.
• Detrusitol/tolterodine.
• Oxybutynin.
• Betmiga/mirabegron.

Please complete the three day bladder diary and the questionnaires sent with your appointment letter. You must bring both of them with you to the clinic.

Before the test, please let us know:

• If you have any allergies, especially to latex.
• If you have any problems with your mobility.
• If you feel you may have a urine infection. We are unable to perform urodynamics if you have a urine infection and have symptoms (for example foul-smelling urine or a burning sensation when you urinate).

If you are prone to urinary tract infections, please ensure you get your urine checked by your GP surgery five working days before the appointment so that it can be treated before your appointment.

What the urodynamics test involves

After you arrive, a healthcare professional will explain the test to you and ask some questions about the symptoms that you have been experiencing. You can ask any questions you have about the test.

You will then be asked to sign a consent form to make sure that you understand the procedure, the reasons why it is being done and any potential side effects.

In privacy, you will be asked to change and remove the lower half of your clothing (trousers/skirt/underwear). You will be given a hospital gown to change into and once you are on the couch you will be covered with a sheet.

The healthcare professional will also ask you to pass urine into a special toilet (flowmeter). This measures how fast the flow of your urine is and allows us to check you don’t have a urine infection.

After you have done this, the healthcare professional may examine you. This will include an internal examination, with a chaperone present.

During the test

You will be lying on a couch before one or two small tubes

(no more than 3mm in diameter) will be passed into your bladder. Another small tube will be placed into your rectum (back passage). If you do not have a rectum because you have had surgery and have a colostomy or stoma then that can be used, or the vagina can also be used as an alternative.

These tubes allow us to take measurements both inside and outside the bladder. You will then be asked to sit or stand and your bladder will be slowly filled with water through the tube until you feel full. If you are unable to sit or stand then you will remain lying down on the couch.

You will be asked to cough several times during the test to check the tubes are working. You will also be asked a series of questions such as your first desire to pass urine or whether you experience any urgency.

Once your bladder is comfortably full, one of the bladder tubes will be removed. The tube in your rectum and the very tiny tube in your bladder will be left in. You will then be asked to pass urine and the healthcare professionals will leave the room during this time.

After the test

You will be given time to get dressed in privacy after the test and the results will be explained to you. At this point, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

A report will be written and a copy will be sent to your GP, the person who referred you, and yourself.

After the test, you may experience some discomfort where the tubes have been for a short time, but this should settle down. We suggest that you drink extra water during the 24 hours after the test to decrease the chances of you developing an infection.

Video urodynamics is similar to standard urodynamics (described above please read and follow the ‘before the test’ guidance above), however, we also take X-ray pictures of your bladder. Instead of using salt water to fill your bladder, we use an iodine-based fluid (this allows us to see your bladder on X-ray).

Before the test, please also let us know:

• If there is any possibility that you are pregnant as we are unable to perform the test if you are. We may also perform a pregnancy test on the day of your appointment.
• If you are allergic to Iodine.

What the urodynamics test involves

Unlike standard urodynamics, because we need to X-ray your bladder when you pass urine, we have to remain in the room. We are as discreet as possible and stay behind the curtains when possible.