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This painless test evaluates problems your bladder may have emptying or storing urine.
- You are incontinent (leak urine)
- Your bladder does not empty completely
- You have uncomfortable symptoms, such as the frequent need to urinate
- Your urine stream is intermittent or weak
- You have persistent urinary tract symptoms
The lower urinary tract has two main functions: storing and emptying urine. The bladder is a muscle-lined organ that collects urine until you are ready to release it. The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Pelvic floor muscles support the bladder and urethra to keep them in the proper position. To store urine, the bladder muscle stays relaxed as the urethral muscle (sphincter) contracts. To empty urine, the urethral sphincter and pelvic floor muscles relax while the bladder contracts.
Urodynamic testing provides valuable data on bladder function. This allows your physician to make the best recommendations for treatment. Please discontinue any bladder medications (i.e. Detrol LA, Ditropan, Urecholine, etc.) four (4) days prior to your test. You will also need to perform a urinalysis and clean catch urine culture at one of our office locations before the urodynamic testing can be done. After you arrive at the WomanCare Center for Bladder Control for your test, the nurse will take a bladder history that requires you to answer a few questions regarding your urinary system. You will be asked to empty your bladder in the rest room. You will then go to the exam room, undress from the waist down and put on a gown. The study usually takes about one hour. If you have your period, please do not schedule.
The nurse will then insert a small catheter through the urethra into the bladder. Through this catheter, your bladder will be filled with a saline solution. A second catheter will be placed in the vagina to provide additional data. You will be asked to report any sensations you feel and whether they are similar to ones you have felt at home. You will also be asked to cough, bear down ("Valsalva") or stand during the test. The bladder catheter is removed, the test is over and you can get dressed. Remember that urodynamic testing is painless. Also, after the testing has been completed, you will be able to drive home on your own.
Appointments are scheduled by calling any of the WomanCare main telephone numbers: (847) 221-4200, (847) 221-4300, (847) 221-4700, (847) 221-4800 or (847) 221-4900. You may also schedule appointments at our Front Desk.
Upon completing the Urodynamic test, you will be asked to set up an appointment for interpretation of your test results. Urodynamics is a complex test that must be interpreted by a physician with advanced training in Urogynecology. Dr. Randall Kahan, M.D. is the WomanCare physician with these credentials. It is important, when interpreting this test, that he be able to discuss with you your needs and situation. He will work with your WomanCare physician in recommending the best treatment for you.
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