Uroflowmetry and bladder scan (urine flow test)

Flow test (uroflowmetry) naapta hai ke peshab kitni tezi se nikalta hai. Aap peshab ek funnel mein karte hain jo aik machine se juda hota hai, aur machine bahao ka graph banati hai.

Bladder scan pait ke nichle hisse ka chhota sa ultrasound scan hai. Yeh naapta hai ke peshab karne ke baad bladder mein kitna peshab reh gaya. Ise bacha hua (residual) peshab kehte hain.

Urologist yeh tests kah sakta hai agar aap ko kamzor dhaar, zor lagana, khali na hone ka ehsaas, ya urinary alamaat ki wajah jaanni ho, jin mein barhe hue prostate ka asar bhi shamil hai.

Aasaan tasveer. Baayen taraf flow test, funnel aur machine ke saath. Daayen taraf bladder scan, peshab ke baad andar reh jaane wale peshab ke saath.

Dono tests mein se koi bhi dardnak nahi, aur na hi radiation istemal hota hai. Yeh dono bladder ke khali hone ka tareeqa dikhate hain, lekin akele wajah nahi batate.

Test se pehle

Mamool ke mutabiq peshab karein. Flow test ke liye kaafi peshab chahiye, is liye roka na karein, aur team ke kehne ke baghair test ke liye zyada pani na piyein.
Team ko batayein agar haal hi mein peshab ka infection ya catheter hua ho, kyun ke nateeje kuch der ke liye mutasir ho sakte hain.
Apne taur par koi dawa band na karein. Agar kuch tabdeel karna ho to urologist batayega.
Diary sath laayein agar team ne bladder diary rakhne ko kaha ho.

Test ke dauran

Flow test: aap mamool ke mutabiq funnel mein peshab karte hain. Machine ke hisab se aap stool ya kursi par baith sakte hain, ya khare ho sakte hain. Agar namoona chhota ho to test dobara ho sakta hai, is liye pareshan na hon. Aap ki parda-dari ka khayal rakha jata hai, aur zaroorat ho to private kamra maang sakte hain.

Bladder scan: aap peeth ke bal leten hain, aur pait ke nichle hisse par thora gel lagaya jata hai. Scanner is jagah par harkat karta hai aur peshab karne se pehle aur baad mein bladder ki tasveer li jati hai. Aam tor par sirf chand minute lagte hain. Kuch clinics chhota portable scanner istemal karti hain.

Test ke baad

Aap fauran apne mamool ke kaam jari rakh sakte hain.
Peshab ka bahao din bhar badalta rehta hai, is liye team yeh test kisi aur din dobara kar sakti hai.
Agar clinic mein peshab karna mushkil lage to team ko batayein. Yeh aam baat hai, aur woh madad kar sakte hain.

Mumkin khatre

In tests mein koi khaas khatra nahi. Bladder scan sound waves istemal karta hai, radiation nahi. Kuch logon ko sharm mehsoos hoti hai ya clinic mein peshab karna mushkil lagta hai. Bata dein, kyun ke team aap ko zyada waqt ya private kamra de sakti hai.

Aap ke nateeje

Flow graph sab se zyada bahao aur bahao ki shakl dikhata hai. Bladder scan dikhata hai ke kitna peshab andar reh gaya. Dheema bahao, ya zyada peshab andar reh jana, barhe hue prostate, bladder ki kamzor muscle, ya nerve ke masle ki taraf ishara kar sakta hai. Akele koi aik number tashkhees nahi karta.

Aap ka urologist nateeje ko aap ki alamaat, muaine aur dusre tests ke saath parhta hai, aur batayega ke iska aap ke liye kya matlab hai. Report apne urologist ko zaroor dikhayein.

Fauran madad kab lein

Yeh tests emergency tests nahi hain. Agar yeh hon to fauran madad lein:

Peshab bilkul nahi ho raha, ya pait ke nichle hisse mein dard aur sujan hai (dekhein peshab ruk jane wali guide).
Bukhar ya kaampna, jalan, kamar ke dard ya peshab mein dikkat ke saath (dekhein UTI guide).
Peshab mein bohat khoon, ya khoon ke lothray.

Agar shak ho to qareebi emergency department jayein aur test ka khat dikhayein.

Aam sawalaat

Kya test mein dard hota hai?

Nahi. Flow test mein bas funnel mein peshab karna hota hai, aur bladder scan dardnak nahi.

Yeh test baar baar kyun karna parta hai?

Peshab ka bahao din ke saath badalta hai, is liye aik nateeja sirf aik lamha dikhata hai. Baar baar test ek wazeh tasveer deta hai.

Agar main logon ke saamne peshab na kar sakun to?

Yeh bohat aam hai. Team ko batayein, woh private kamra, zyada waqt, ya baad mein dobara test de sakti hai.

Kya bladder scan aur ultrasound scan aik jaise hain?

Haan, technology aik hi hai, lekin yeh bladder ka jaldi wala scan hai jo andar reh jaane wale peshab ko dekhta hai.

Kya test se pehle bohat pani peena parega?

Nahi. Mamool ke mutabiq pani piyein. Team batayegi agar zyada pani chahiye.

Kya yeh urodynamics jaisa hai?

Nahi. Urodynamics zyada tafseeli tests hain jo bladder ka dabao naapte hain. Woh apni alag guide mein hain.

Kya normal nateeja ka matlab hai ke bladder theek hai?

Hamesha nahi. Normal nateeja tasalli deta hai, lekin alamaat ahem hain, is liye agar jari rahen to urologist ko batayein.

What it is and why it is done

A flow test (uroflowmetry) measures how quickly urine comes out. You pass urine into a funnel that is connected to a machine, and the machine draws a graph of the flow.

A bladder scan is a small ultrasound scan of the lower tummy. It measures how much urine is left in the bladder after you pass urine. This is called the leftover or residual urine.

Your urologist may ask for these tests if you have a weak stream, straining, a feeling of not emptying properly, or if the cause of your urinary symptoms needs checking, including the effect of an enlarged prostate.

Simple picture. On the left, the flow test, with a funnel and a machine that draws the flow. On the right, the bladder scan, with urine left behind after passing urine.

Neither test is painful, and neither uses radiation. Both show how the bladder empties, but they do not show the cause on their own.

Before the test

Drink as you normally would. The flow test needs enough urine to be measured, so do not hold on, and do not drink extra just for the test unless your team asks you to.
Tell the team about any recent urine infection or catheter, because the results can be affected for a short while.
Do not stop any medicine on your own. Your urologist will tell you if anything needs changing.
Bring a bladder diary if your team has asked you to keep one.

During the test

Flow test: you pass urine normally into a funnel. You may sit on a special stool or a chair, or stand, depending on the machine. The test is repeated if the sample is too small, so do not worry if you need to try again. Your privacy is respected, and you can ask for a private room if needed.

Bladder scan: you lie on your back, and a little gel is put on the lower tummy. The scanner is moved over the area, and pictures are taken of the bladder before and after you pass urine. It usually takes only a few minutes. Some clinics use a small portable scanner.

After the test

You can carry on with your usual day straight away.
Your urine flow changes from day to day, so the team may repeat the test on another day.
Tell the team if you find it hard to pass urine in the clinic. This is common, and they can help.

Possible risks

These tests have no significant risks. The bladder scan uses sound waves, not radiation. Some people feel embarrassed or find it hard to pass urine in a clinic. Please say so, because the team can give you more time or a private room.

Your results

The flow graph shows the highest flow and the shape of the flow. The bladder scan shows how much urine is left behind. A slow flow, or a large amount left behind, can point to a blockage such as an enlarged prostate, a weak bladder muscle, or a nerve problem. No single number makes a diagnosis.

Your urologist reads the results together with your symptoms, your examination and other tests, and will explain what they mean for you. Please take the report to your urologist.

When to seek urgent help

These tests are not emergency tests. Please seek urgent help if any of these happen:

You cannot pass urine at all, or your lower tummy is painful and swollen (see the urinary retention guide).
Fever or shivering, with burning, loin pain or trouble passing urine (see the urinary tract infection guide).
Heavy bleeding in the urine, or clots.

If you are in any doubt, go to the nearest emergency department and show them your test letter.

Common questions

Does the test hurt?

No. The flow test is simply passing urine into a funnel, and the bladder scan is painless.

Why do I need it more than once?

Urine flow varies from day to day, so one result is only a snapshot. Repeat tests give a clearer picture.

What if I cannot pass urine in front of other people?

This is very common. Tell the team, who can give you a private room, more time, or a repeat test later.

Is the bladder scan the same as an ultrasound scan?

Yes, it uses the same technology, but it is a quick scan of the bladder only, and it looks at the urine left behind.

Do I need to drink a lot before the test?

No. Drink as you normally would. The team will tell you if they need you to drink more.

Is this the same as urodynamics?

No. Urodynamics is a more detailed set of tests that measures bladder pressure. It is covered in its own guide.

Will a normal result mean my bladder is fine?

Not always. A normal result is reassuring, but symptoms still matter, so tell your urologist if they continue.

Written and reviewed by Dr Mudassir Hussain, Consultant Urologist, FRCS (Urol) Eng, FCPS (Urol) Pak

Last reviewed: October 2026 Next review due: October 2028

Further reading from trusted organisations (free, in English):Mazeed parhne ke liye, mustanad idaaron ki taraf se (muft, angrezi mein):
MedlinePlus: Urination, difficulty with flow
EAU: Benign prostate enlargement (BPE)

This guide gives general information and is not a substitute for advice from the doctor treating you.

Yeh guide aam maloomat deti hai aur aap ka ilaaj karne wale doctor ke mashwaray ka mutabadil nahi hai.

Yeh test kya hai aur kyun kiya jata hai