Does anyone know how you can calculate your flow rate using a measuring jug ? i had one in hospital a couple of months back at a time of day when the pressure felt really good .Apparently my reading was 7., earlier in the day it would have significantly lower than that . I have recently been self cathing at least once a day and have noticed a much improved natural void . Im confused by this .
Hello:
You can get a pretty good approximation of the maximum flow rate from a device sold on Amazon. The device is called “Uflow Meter” and sells for about $11. It will let you know if the maximum flowrate is less than 10 mL/sec, between 10 and 15 mL/sec, or greater than 15 mL/sec. Note that this is the maximum urine flow rate and not just an average.
excellent , just ordered , thanks
I have a graduated beaker I pee in while timing on a second hand clock. I time from the time flow starts to the last dribble. I assume this gives an average flow rate which seems to me would be a better indicator. Not sure how this differ from the device mentioned by rdemyan.
thanks but excuse my ignorance how exactly do you work out the flow rate ? for example if you pee 500 ml in 1.5 minutes how do you do the maths ?
In your case. You divide the volume (500 ml) by the number of seconds it takes to go (90) = 5.5ml/sec
I pee 300 ml in 15 seconds. = 20ml/sec
This number is the average flow rate.
When reach 400 ml in my bladder flow rate drops.
great , thanks unclefester
Any time. Glad I can help. Maybe some one will chime in on the error of my ways
Hi unclefester:
The flow tests in the uro’s office usually quote maximum flowrate. The average flowrate can be affected by a number of things. For example waiting till the last dribble might add one second for a teenager, but 20 seconds for us old guys. If you’re getting an average flowrate of 20 mL/sec, that leads me to believe that you have had a BPH procedure. Your max flowrate is probably around 30 mL/sec or so, which is great.
Hi rdemyan
No I have not had a BPH procedure. I had severe bleeding in Nov. 2015. Prior to that I had slower rate from memory I would say 15ml/sec. I figured I would eventually end up on Flowmax but didn’t give it much thought. I had all the usual tests to rule out cancer. Of the course uro I had said I should have TURP. Almost went through with is but found this forum and realized I was about to be butchered. Anyway I’m very blessed with a good flow rate I hope it stays that way until they have an injectable cure for BPH ( I know I’m optimistic ) . I’ve been on finasteride for 3 years which I’m sure has helped. Dr. never figured out what caused the bleeding. I was taking Krill oil at the time. So my theory is the Krill oil caused it by thinning my blood too much. I start pretty fast usually with a second or 2 of trying and only dribble for a second or 2.
The only thing that concerns me a bit is my bladder capacity is 400ml. and at that point I’m ready to pee my pants.
Your bladder capacity and flow rate are normal. Finasteride must be doing its job. Is there a reason the Uro wanted to do a TURP?
Hi unclefester:
Agree pretty much with what Timothy said below. Be sure to check your max flowrate with the UFlow device. Please report back when you do. Most men on this board would kill for an average flow rate of 20 mL/sec let alone a likely max flowrate of around 30 mL/sec. You want to make sure you have these numbers correct.
Have you had your PVR (post void residual) measured by a bladder scanner or by catheter?
As has been suggested by others here just pee into a measuring beaker and count the seconds. You don’t need a watch - just do it in your head. Easy to calculate ml/sec. “Normal” for males is about 20ml/sec. Mine is about 3ml/sec, and 2 at night. You should also measure the amount of urine over a 24hr period both day and night. I average about 75ml/hour at night and 45ml/hour during the day. My PVR was last measured at 170ml, so at night that’s about 2 hours+ still in by bladder. No wonder I have to get up 5-6 times at night.
After you do this for a couple of days it will all make sense. Also, it isn’t always the prostate that is causing issues with urine flow, it can be the bladder outlet being obstructed - you don’t have that issue. So, these ideas are also for others who are reading this.
Tom
Thanks Tom for your helpful reply .
you say that " i dont have that problem " re bladder outlet obstruction but i was diagnosed with
" “severe bladder blockage” after a urodynamics study back in March . My natural void seems so much better since i have self cathing as if the cathetar has been opening me up . Very strange.
dcooperxyz;
I’m pretty sure that bladder outlet obstruction can be caused by BPH. Maybe others want to chime in, but that’s what I’ve always been led to believe.
Yes I know I’m very lucky. I do my beaker test a couple of times a week. I put one of those flow meter things in my amazon shopping cart. So I’ll post what my peak flow number is.
Timothy, The uro wanted to do TURP to make some $. I bled heavily for 10 days. It started again in 3 months. It slowly tapered off over the course of a year. Each time I bled there was less blood and the duration was shorter. I can’t describe fear that engulfed me in Nov. 2015 when I had me first episode. We’re not talking pink or red urine. I was literally peeing blood, massive clots, and what looked like sheets of skin. Sounds unbelievable I know. Thank God it stopped and I didn’t have cancer.
Personally I believe I had prostatitis. DRE was extremely painful and I had multiple prostatitis symptoms. There no money to be made handing out antibiotics for prostatitis so lets talk this guy into surgery.
Last time my PVR was checked it was very little. I don’t remember the figure but PA said it was very good. That was 2 years ago though. Next week I go to the uro I’m going to request PVR test. Went I’m done peeing I feel empty. I don’t know if that would reflect on PVR or not.
i think thats correct but can also be caused by other issues . Prostate issues get all the attention but the prostate is not always to blame . Input welcome in this .
Darren
Oh, yes. BOO can be caused by BPH, but there may be other reasons. That’s why performing tests prior to a procedure is important. Is it really the prostate that is causing the majority of the problem or are there other issues (weak bladder, urethral stricture, etc.)?
Do you know how large your prostate is?