Side Effects of a Bladder Leakage Test

Incontinence can have many different causes. To determine the underlying reason for your problem, your doctor might perform a cystometrogram, or a bladder leakage test, according to a report from the University of Michigan Health System. A bladder leakage test can be performed in a doctor's office and requires less than an hour to complete. There is a small risk that you could experience some side effects after undergoing one.

The Facts

• A Urodynamic Testing study from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) reports that a bladder leakage test can help your doctor understand what triggers your bladder's contractions and causes it to spill urine. To perform the test, your doctor, a nurse or the medical technician working with you will first empty your bladder completely of all fluid using a catheter. A small catheter with a pressure-measuring device will then be inserted into your bladder. Your bladder will slowly be filled with warm water using the catheter. If your bladder contracts and causes urine to spill, the device will measure the pressure of the contraction. Your doctor might also ask you to cough, strain or move to place pressure on your bladder to see what else may cause leakage. This will also help her evaluate the strength of your sphincter muscles. A bladder leakage test can cause side effects including pain and infection.

Pain

• Pain as a side effect of a bladder leakage test, according to the University of Michigan. The pain is usually located within your urethra and is caused by the irritation of having catheters inserted through and left inside of it during the length of the test. The pain is usually mild. The sensation can feel like an ache or a dull burning. You may also feel some discomfort when it comes to your bladder as a result of it being filled during the test.

Other Side Effects

• There is a risk that you could develop an infection after undergoing a bladder leakage test. This could be a urinary tract infection or an infection that begins in your bladder and then spreads to other parts of your body. Symptoms include a burning sensation while urinating and discolored urine. A more serious infection can cause fever and chills. Other side effects of a bladder leakage test include blood in your urine or difficulty urinating.

Treatments

• Drinking two glasses of water every hour after undergoing a bladder leakage test will help ease the pain of urination. A warm bath can also help. If your doctor recommends against a bath, then holding a warm damp cloth against the opening of your urethra might bring some relief. The NIDDKD avises that most discomfort fades within 48 hours. Blood in your urine and difficulty urinating should also fade on their own. If you experience any symptoms of infection, contact your doctor right away. She can prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection.

Considerations

• Properly preparing for a bladder leakage test can help reduce your chances of experiencing side effects. Your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic for you to take a day or two before your test to help protect you from infection. You might also need to be tested to make sure that you do not have a urinary tract infection before the test is performed. Following your doctor's instructions before the test will help make recovering from it faster and easier.