A flow study test is done to measure how fast the urine empties from your bladder. A flow study is done by asking you to void into a special toilet which records the volume of urine you have passed. (It is very important that you do not have a bowel movement into this special toilet during the flow study test.)
After you have emptied your bladder into this special toilet, the nurse will check your bladder to determine whether any urine has been left behind after you have finished urinating.
In order to be able to perform a flow test, you must have a strong urge to void. We realize that traveling quite a distance in the car when you have a fairly full bladder can be difficult. If you do not believe you can travel that distance with a full bladder, then we would ask that you come to our office early and be prepared to drink some fluids to allow your bladder to fill.
There are no other special preparations, fluid restrictions, or food restrictions for this test. If you wear incontinence pads or an external catheter, you may wish to bring extra supplies for replacement after the test.