Problems with your bladder or urinary tract can result in urinary retention or not fully emptying your bladder. The amount of urine left in your bladder after you’ve gone to the bathroom is called post-void residual (PVR). The test can help your provider decide on the best course of treatment.
The amount of urine that remains in your bladder after you urinate (pee) is called post-void residual (PVR). A post-void residual urine test measures the amount of urine left in your bladder.
Ideally, when you go to the bathroom, your bladder should empty completely. But sometimes, urine stays in the bladder even after you think you’ve emptied it. The PVR test can tell your healthcare provider if you’ve completely emptied your bladder. A small amount of residual urine is generally ok, but large amounts can be concerning for urinary retention.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Your healthcare provider may recommend a PVR test if you have any symptoms of urinary retention. Urinary retention can be due to a number of medical problems, such as:
Not emptying your bladder all the way can lead to symptoms and complications, including:
Just before the test, your provider will ask you to go to the bathroom and empty your bladder as completely as possible. To accurately measure PVR, you should have the test immediately after you urinate.
Your provider can use different methods to measure post-void residual volume. The two most common methods are ultrasound or bladder catheterization.
This noninvasive test doesn’t require any anesthesia. During an ultrasound, you lie still on a table.
Your provider may choose one of these types of ultrasound to measure the post-void residual:
For this procedure, your provider gives you a local anesthetic (a numbing agent). Then the provider inserts a thin tube called a catheter through your urethra and into your bladder. Any urine left in your bladder drains out through the catheter. The provider then measures the amount that drains out.
After an ultrasound, you can wipe any remaining gel off your skin, get dressed and go home.
After bladder catheterization, your provider gently removes the catheter from your urethra. You can go home after the procedure. You may feel slight discomfort as the anesthesia wears off. Drinking lots of water, and urinating several times, can help. Your provider may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent urinary tract infection.
If you have signs of urinary retention — meaning high residual urine volume — your provider will discuss ways to address this. Options could include a catheter (a tube that drains your bladder), medications and/or surgery.
Ultrasound doesn’t have any known risks. After bladder catheterization, there is a slight risk of getting a urinary tract infection or blood in your urine. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.
Ask your healthcare team when you can expect results. For some tests, your provider may share the results immediately. For others, it may take a couple of days for your provider to analyze the results.
Call your healthcare provider if you notice:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Your healthcare provider can use the information from a post-void residual urine test to help diagnose what’s causing you to retain urine. Typically, you can manage most conditions that cause post-void residual with medication, surgery or other treatments.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/16/2021.
Learn more about our editorial process.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy