Urodynamics in the evaluation of female LUTS: when are they helpful and how do we use them?

Urodynamics remains the test of choice to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms in men and women. Best practices recommend that urodynamics be applied to answer a specific urodynamic question. Recent level 1 evidence shows that urodynamics is not necessary for the evaluation of pure clinical stress urinary incontinence. Urodynamics is also not needed before conservative treatment of overactive bladder. Urodynamics still has an important role in the evaluation of mixed urinary incontinence and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms. The information obtained assists the clinician in confirmation of the diagnosis, counseling the patient, and choosing treatment.