Emergency

Bladder Function Test (Urodynamics)

Related topics: Diagnostics Medical tests & imaging

This service is available to current clients of the UBC Bladder Care Centre

Visit the UBC Bladder Care Centre webpage to learn about referrals and other services at the Centre.

The lower urinary tract includes the bladder, urethra and sphincter muscle. We test the lower urinary tract to find out how the bladder acts when it fills and empties. This is called urodynamics or UDS. The test may show many urinary problems and help a urologist determine the right treatment if you are having incontinence or bladder issues.

Referrals

A doctor's referral is required for a urodynamics test or any test at the Bladder Care Centre at UBC.  

If you are having incontinence issues or bladder issues, please contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner or walk-in-clinic physician to be referred to our clinic. A urologist at the Bladder Care Centre will then review your referral before booking an appointment. 

This test cannot be performed if you are pregnant.

Bladder Care Centre Referral Form

Note to referring health-care providers

Fax completed referral forms to 604-822-6984.

Referral forms must only be filled out by a doctor or nurse practitioner. Patients are prohibited from completing this form and referring themselves to the Bladder Care Centre independently. Incomplete referrals will be faxed back to the sender. 

Referrals must include: 

  • a complete referral form,
  • a letter outlining medical/psychiatric history, disabilities, mobility aids,
  • weight,
  • pronouns used by the patient,
  • current medications and dosage.

Referrals must also clearly indicate if the patient has had any of the following:

  • Heart valve replacement or a recent joint replacement
  • Heart murmur.
  • Is required to take antibiotics due to a heart valve replacement or a recent joint replacement.
  • An artificial urinary sphincter.

Test overview

This test is performed by a registered nurse and takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Expect to stay in the clinic for 2 to 2.5 hours for this test.

When you arrive, do not empty your bladder. You will change into a hospital gown and fill out a history form. The nurse will ask you about your symptoms and general health before they start the test.  There are three phases to this test:

Phase 1

You are asked to pass your urine (empty your bladder) into a container. This container is joined to a computer that records the speed and amount of urine you pass.

If you use an indwelling catheter or external condom catheter, this will be removed before the test.

Phase 2

Next, the nurse will insert two catheters:  

  1. A bladder catheter, called a Pves, will be inserted into the bladder through the urethra to monitor pressure change inside of the bladder. This bladder tube detects movement from the muscles inside of the bladder.
  2. A small tube called a Pabd will be inserted 2 to 3 inches into the rectum. This catheter enhances the accuracy of the bladder measurements and helps monitor pressure change around the bladder.  

After the nurse inserts the two catheters, the catheters are connected to a computer, and your bladder will be filled with sterile water through the bladder catheter. The nurse will ask you questions while your bladder is being filled with sterile water.   

This part of the test shows what happens in the bladder as it fills. It measures:  

  • how much pressure there is
  • how much fluid you hold before you feel full
  • how much your bladder can hold if you leak when you cough or bear down
Diagram showing the anatomy of a urethra and bladder

Urethra and bladder.

Getting ready for your appointment

  • How long to park if you are driving to your Bladder Care Centre appointment.

    If you are driving to your appointment, make sure to pay for long enough parking for your appointment. We have provided suggested lengths of parking, depending on your appointment type. 

    • Urodynamics: Expect to stay for over 2.5 to 3 hours in the Centre.
    • Bladder botox: Expect to stay for 45 to 60 minutes in the Centre.
    • Cystoscopy: Expect to stay for over 2 to 2.5 hours in in the Centre.
    • Video Urodyamics: Expect to stay 60 to 90 minutes.
    • Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy: Expect to stay for 45 to 60 minutes in the Centre.

  • Bladder Care Centre cancellation policy

    Please provide 48 business hours' notice for appointment cancellations. If you feel unwell or have flu-like symptoms on the day of your appointment, call us to cancel and reschedule. 

    No show and late cancellation policy 

    Patients who do not show up or cancel their appointment less than 24 business hours beforehand without a valid reason for cancellation may be charged a fee by the urologists (from their private office). The Bladder Care Centre staff have no control over this fee charge. 

    Important cancellation reminders 

    Your appointment is important to us.  Please review the following notices to ensure your appointment does not get cancelled:  

    • Please arrive on time for your appointment to ensure your test can be completed. If you are more than 10 minutes late, your test may be cancelled, and you will need to reschedule.
    • If you are experiencing symptoms/illness such as diarrhea, vomiting, cough, colds, flu, bladder infection, or fever, please call to reschedule your appointment. If you arrive at the clinic with any of these symptoms, your appointment will be cancelled.
    • If you use a cane, crutches, walker, or wheelchair and require assistance with walking or undressing, please bring someone to help you.
    • Physicians may need to reschedule appointments due to sudden schedule changes. If this happens, we will rebook your appointment accordingly. 

  • When to reschedule your Bladder Care Centre appointment

    Call the Bladder Care Centre and reschedule your appointment if you are feeling unwell and have any of the symptoms listed below.  If you arrive at the centre with these symptoms, we will cancel your test(s), and you will be sent home.

    • Fever 
      Cough 
      Runny nose 
      Sore throat 
      Headache 
      Loose bowel movements/diarrhea 
      Vomiting 
      Chills 
      Any flu/cold-like symptoms 
      Bladder infection 

  • What to bring to your Bladder Care Centre appointment

    • Your Care Card or BC Services Card 

    • A list of all medications you are taking.  

    • Antibiotics, if you are taking any. If you take antibiotics due to a heart valve replacement, a recent joint replacement, or you have a heart murmur, you must bring your own antibiotics to your test. Antibiotics are not provided. 

    • Your own incontinence products. We do not carry incontinence products. 

    • If you have your own face masks, we suggest that you wear one during your appointment. Masks will not be provided. 

    • When to bring someone to help you 

    • If you use a cane, crutches, walker or wheelchair and if need help with walking, dressing, undressing or transferring, you must bring someone who can help you.    

    • If you have difficulty with English, bring someone with you to help with translation. This person must have a good understanding of English. The translator is with you during your test. 

  • What to do in the morning of your Bladder Care Centre appointment

    • Drink approximately two to three cups of fluid (water, cranberry juice, milk, herbal tea) 30 to 60 minutes prior to your test so that you arrive at the clinic with a comfortable urge to urinate (empty your bladder). If you have an indwelling Foley or suprapubic catheter, or self-catheterize, you do not need to drink extra water.
    • Avoid drinks with caffeine on the day of your test (e.g. coffee, tea, colas).
    • You may eat and drink before the test.
    • Take a bath or shower the morning of your appointment.
    • You may find it more comfortable if you have a bowel movement before coming to the clinic. This is not essential.
    • Do not empty your bladder when you arrive at the clinic. Speak with the nurse if you feel you must empty your bladder. 

After the test

You can typically return to work and other usual activities after the UDS test. It is common to experience mild discomfort in the bladder area. This discomfort generally resolves within a few hours.

General home instructions

  • Drink one cup (250 ml) of water every two hours, for the rest of the day. Ensure to urinate frequently (urinate every 1.5 to 2 hours) until your bedtime (then return to your normal routine the next day). If you have fluid restriction orders from your doctor, please follow the exact amount they ordered.
  • There may be some blood in your urine, and you may feel some irritation while urinating for one to two days.

Notify your family doctor/urologist, or go to the Emergency Department if any of the following happens: 

  • Urine becomes increasingly bloody
  • You pass many blood clots
  • You develop chills and/or fever with a temperature higher than 38°C or 101°F
  • You are unable to urinate for eight to 10 hours
  • You are having pain, burning, or feeling of having to urinate often, for more than 48 hours
  • Your urine smells foul and/or cloudy in colour
  • Back pain
  • Prescribed medication does not relieve your pain

Download the General Home Instructions

Results

The results of your test will be sent to the doctor or nurse practitioner who referred you. The office of the referring health professional will call you with the results within two to four weeks. If you have not received a call within four weeks, please give them a call. 

This service is available at
This service is available at

Bladder Function Test (Urodynamics) at Bladder Care Centre

1st floor – 2211 Wesbrook Mall at UBC Hospital
Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5
See directions on Google Maps
Fax:  604- 822-6984