You’ve been referred for a urodynamics test by your GP, gynaecologist, or consultant. This test gives us important information about how your bladder and the muscles around it are working.
It helps us understand why you may be having symptoms like:
- Needing to go to the toilet often or urgently
- Leaking urine (incontinence)
- Difficulty starting to pass urine
- Feeling like your bladder doesn’t empty properly
Why Do I Need This Test?
This test is usually recommended when:
- Treatments like medication or exercises haven’t worked
- Your symptoms are unclear or complex
- Surgery is being considered, and we need to understand exactly what’s going on
The information from this test helps your doctor choose the best treatment for you.
How to Get Ready for the Test
Before your appointment:
- Bladder medications: If you're taking tablets for your bladder (like solifenacin or
- oxybutynin), you may be asked to stop them for about 7 days before the test. Ask
- your doctor or contact the clinic if you’re unsure.
- Check for infection: You may be asked to give a urine sample to check for infection. If there’s an infection, the test may be delayed.
- Allergies or pregnancy: Let us know if you have any allergies (e.g. to latex or iodine), or if you are or might be pregnant.
- Bladder comfort: We ask you to try and come with a comfortably full bladder, but if that’s not possible, don’t worry—we can help you when you arrive
What Happens During the Test?
The test usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Here’s what to expect:
1. We’ll ask you to pass urine
You’ll be asked to pass urine into a special toilet or funnel. This measures how fast and how much urine you pass. Afterward, we may do a quick bladder scan or use a small catheter to check if any urine is left in your bladder.
2. Placing small catheters
- We’ll gently place a thin tube (catheter) into your bladder to fill it during the test.
- A second small tube goes into your back passage (rectum) or vagina to measure
- pressure.
- If you have a stoma, we may place the catheter there—please bring a spare stoma
- bag.
3. Urethral Pressure Test (if needed)
Sometimes we do a short test before filling the bladder called UPP (Urethral Pressure
Profilometry):
- We slowly remove the catheter to measure how your muscles are working.
- This is helpful if you have symptoms like leaking when you cough or move.
4. Filling the bladder
- We’ll slowly fill your bladder with sterile fluid.
- You’ll be asked to tell us when you first feel anything, when it feels full, and if you feel
- any urge to pass urine.
- We might ask you to cough or move to see how your bladder reacts.
5. Emptying the bladder
When you feel full, we’ll ask you to pass urine again. This helps us see how well your
bladder empties.
After the Test
- You may feel a bit of stinging or discomfort when passing urine for a day or
- two—that’s normal.
- Drink plenty of water afterwards.
- If you get a fever, chills, or cloudy/smelly urine, contact your GP in case of a urinary
- infection.
What Happens Next?
- We will discuss the initial findings with you before you leave
- A full report will also be sent to the doctor who referred you—this may be your GP,
- gynaecologist, or consultant—so they can discuss the next steps and treatment
- options with you in more detail.
Any Questions?
If you have questions before or after your test, we’re here to help. Contact our clinic
team—we’ll be happy to talk things through and make sure you feel comfortable and
supported.
This test is a safe and recommended way to understand bladder symptoms, following
guidelines from the International Continence Society (ICS) and British Association of
Urological Surgeons (BAUS).