• ​Mixed incontinence
• Overactive bladder (OAB)
• Failed medical therapy for OAB/BPH
• Suspected bladder outlet obstruction
• Neurological conditions with urinary symptoms
• Neurological conditions with involvement of upper urinary tracts
• Planning for specific surgeries which require assessment of the bladder or urethra
• Previous surgery with persistent urinary symptoms
• Incontinence after surgery (eg: Transurethral resection of prostate, radical prostatectomy, mid-urethral slings)
• Voiding dysfunction

​We may need to check in advance with a urine sample that no infection is present. You may need to stop some medicine before the test. Please check with your doctor. The tests take about 30-60 minutes to complete. A VUDS will involve small doses of radiation.

If you have an infection, you should be treated with antibiotics before the urodynamic study can take place. Please bring the results of the urinary test to your appointment if it is not done at the hospital.

Please complete the bladder diary before the study. It contains very useful information for the urologist before the study.

Please arrive 30 minutes before your study and be assured that you can have a meal before the study.

​Cystometry:

• You will be brought to a quiet room with your nurse and attending urologist.
• In a lying position with a local anaesthetic gel, a small catheter is inserted in your urethra. Another catheter is placed in your rectum. They will be taped to your body.
• Both catheters measure the pressure in your bladder and your abdomen with the traces being reflected on the computer screen.
• Sensing electrodes may be placed near your rectum and these will monitor the activity of the pelvic muscles.
• You may then be asked to stand up or sit down throughout the study. We may ask you to change your position if required.
• Using the catheter, your bladder will be filled with a sterile saline fluid and you will be asked to cough or bear down to test your bladder reaction throughout the test.
• The doctor checks if there is any leakage of urine and if you have any abnormal urge to urinate.
• When your bladder is completely full, you are asked to empty your bladder while pressure is being recorded. This is done with the urethral catheter in your bladder.

Uroflowmetry:

• The urinary flow will be recorded and you may be asked to do certain actions to assist in the flow.
• The residual urine volume will be measured.
• At the end of the cystometry test, the catheters and sensors are removed.
  

​Risks

UDS/VUDS is generally a safe and well-tolerated study.

Sudden high blood pressure (autonomic dysreflexia)- Rare

Some patients with neurological conditions (eg spinal cord injury) have a risk of sudden high blood pressure (autonomic dysreflexia) during UDS. It is a sudden and exaggerated automatic response to various stimuli in patients with spinal cord injury or spinal dysfunction. Sudden high blood pressure can be life-threatening if not properly managed. We will need to closely monitor the blood pressure of these patients during the tests. Please let your urologist know if you have any spinal cord injuries or concerns.  

Follow-up

Right after the tests are done, your doctor will discuss the results with you, and any further treatment you may need. Drink plenty of liquids after the tests to reduce discomfort while urinating.