Cystourethrogram

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Having barium (from a previous barium enema test), gas, or stool in the bowel.
• Being unable to urinate on command because of embarrassment at having to urinate in front of other people.
• Pain caused by having the catheter into the urethra. This may also cause problems with your urinary stream. You may have a muscle spasm or not be able to fully relax the muscles that control your bladder.

A cystourethrogram is not usually done during pregnancy because the X-rays could harm an unborn baby.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 17, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
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