Overview
In some cases, your doctor might order tests to assess how well your bladder, urethra and sphincter are functioning. This involves tests that measures pressure in your bladder and in the surrounding region as your bladder fills. Your doctor may recommend this test to check if the bladder has any function remaining. A catheter is used to fill your bladder slowly with warm fluid. As your bladder fills, you may be asked to cough or bear down to test for leaks. This procedure may be combined with a pressure-flow study, which tells how much pressure your bladder has to exert in order to empty completely.