UroCuff Test for Bladder Issues: How to Prepare, What to Expect
If you urinate more frequently than normal, have a weak urine stream, or have trouble emptying your bladder, your doctor may schedule a UroCuff test. Results of this test help your doctor understand:
- Why you have these symptoms
- How well your bladder and urethra work together during urination
Doctors often prescribe the UroCuff test if they suspect you have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate. Some of the symptoms of BPH include difficulty starting your urinary stream, the inability to empty your bladder, a sudden urge to urinate, urine leakage, or a weaker urine stream. The results will help your doctor properly diagnose and treat your condition.
What Does the Test Measure?
A healthy bladder holds urine well and doesn’t require excessive squeezing to release urine. The UroCuff test determines the health of your bladder by measuring:
- How much fluid your bladder can hold
- How hard you need to squeeze to empty your bladder
- How much time it takes for your bladder to empty
The test takes about ten minutes.
Why Is the Test Important?
When problems in the lower urinary tract are left untreated, the muscles can become damaged. This may lead to urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, blood in the urine, and kidney or bladder stones. Over time, damage can lead to kidney failure, or even an inability to urinate. The UroCuff test is an important first step in avoiding such complications.
Preparing for Your UroCuff Test
Because the test measures the effectiveness of your bladder, your bladder must be full when the test is conducted. It takes time for the water you drink to travel to your bladder. And, did you know that not all the water you drink reaches your bladder? Water is used for lubricating organs, removing waste, regulating body temperature, and aiding in nutrient absorption. So, it is important to follow these instructions carefully:
Finish drinking 32 oz of water one hour before your arrival. If you drink 16 oz. of water, pee, and then drink another 16 oz. of water, that won’t work.
OR
If you think you may not be able to hold 32 oz of water for that length of time, you may try this instead:
One hour before you arrive, drink 16 oz of water. Arrive at your appointment 30 minutes early, check in, and then drink an additional 16 oz of water that you have brought with you.
As you wait to be called in for your UroCuff test, you may feel an urgent need to urinate. If this occurs, do not go to the toilet. Instead, let someone at the front desk know, and they will begin your test as soon as possible. Without a full bladder, the test cannot take place.
Important Note: If you don’t usually drink much water on a day-to-day basis, your body may be dehydrated. This can cause your body to absorb much of the water you drink in preparation for the UroCuff test, rather than filling your bladder. A full bladder is necessary to conduct the test. Therefore, if you don’t typically drink a lot of water each day, we ask that you increase your water intake in the days leading up to the test. This will ensure your body is properly hydrated and your bladder will fill with the water you drink in preparation for the test.
What Happens During the UroCuff Test?
- A sensor device is placed onto the tip of the penis through which the patient will urinate.
- Lubricant is placed on the device before the patient places it on the tip of the penis.
- Once it is placed on the patient, a seal is created, like a suction, so urine can flow through the device securely.
- When the patient is finished urinating, the clinician pushes a button on the machine to remove the seal, allowing the patient to remove the disposable sensor.
For more details about the UroCuff test, watch this video.
Your prostate may become larger as you age, often beginning in your 40s to 50s. BPH is a common, non-cancerous condition, but it’s important to have BPH treated. Without treatment, an eventual loss of bladder function can occur. Take our symptom quiz to get your BPH score if you have concerns about urine flow.
