Overactive bladder diagnosis

Testing may not be required to diagnose¹⁴ OAB—your provider may be able to diagnose the condition based on self-reported signs and symptoms. In some cases, however, they may recommend that you see a specialist to have your bladder’s function tested.

Some factors that may be assessed to determine your bladder’s function include:

• Postvoid residual urine: This test measures the remaining urine left in your bladder after you urinate. It’s often used if you have difficulty emptying your bladder completely or if you experience incontinence.

To conduct this test, a specialist may produce an ultrasound scan of your bladder or use a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) to drain your bladder and measure the amount of urine that remains.

• Urine flow rate: A procedure called uroflowmetry may be used to collect data that measures the volume and speed of your urine.
• Bladder pressure: A cystometry is a test that measures the pressure in your bladder and the surrounding regions while the organ fills with urine. It involves using a catheter to fill the bladder slowly with warm water while a pressure sensor is placed in the rectum (in men) or vagina (in women). This can help identify if involuntary muscle contractions or a stiff bladder may be causing your symptoms.