Diagnosing Male Incontinence

For an ultrasound, or sonography, a technician holds a device, called a transducer, that sends harmless sound waves into the body, and catches them as they bounce back off the organs inside, to create a picture on a monitor. In an abdominal ultrasound, the technician slides the transducer over the surface of your abdomen, for images of the bladder and kidneys. In a transrectal ultrasound, the technician uses a wand, inserted in the rectum, for images of the prostate. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend one of these tests.

 

Urodynamic testing focuses on the bladder's ability to store urine, and empty steadily and completely, and on your sphincter control mechanism. It can also show whether the bladder is having abnormal contractions that cause leakage, or not. The testing involves measuring pressure in the bladder, as it is filled with fluid through a small catheter. This test can help identify the following conditions:

 

If the test is performed with EMG surface pads, it can also detect abnormal nerve signals, and uncontrolled bladder contractions.