Why the tests may be useful
- Weak, slow or intermittent urinary flow
- Difficulty starting or straining to urinate
- A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
- Urinary retention or recurrent infections
- Assessment before or after selected prostate or urethral treatments
What happens
- You normally attend with a comfortably full bladder
- You pass urine privately into a specialised flow meter
- The equipment records volume, speed, duration and flow pattern
- A handheld ultrasound scan measures post-void residual urine
- The result is interpreted with symptoms and other clinical findings
Understanding the result
- A low flow can have more than one cause
- The test may suggest obstruction or weak bladder contraction but does not always distinguish between them
- A representative result needs an adequate urine volume
- Further tests, including urodynamics or cystoscopy, may sometimes be considered
How this fits your care: Uroflowmetry is simple and non-invasive, but it is one part of an assessment rather than a diagnosis on its own.
Discussing the next step
Mr Syed Ali Shahzad can review your symptoms, previous results and imaging before explaining whether this investigation is appropriate and how the result may affect treatment planning. Tests are arranged through the relevant hospital pathway.
Clinical information reference: NHS trust guide to uroflowmetry and bladder scanning. This page provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice.
Forms and information before your test
Visit our flow test and bladder scan resource guide for patient leaflets. You can also download a three-day bladder diary and IPSS symptom questionnaire if your clinical team asks you to complete them.