Pad test instructions

Who is the leaflet for? What is its aim?

This leaflet is for you if you have been asked to complete a 24- hour Pad Test to measure how much urine you leak over a 24-hour period.

This leaflet explains:

• What a pad test is
• How to complete the test
• What to do with the pads once the test is finished

Your urogynaecologist will then review the results and discuss them with you. Together, you can decide on the most appropriate management plan.

What is a pad test?

A pad test measures the amount of urine leakage over a 24-hour period. The pads provided are weighed before and after use, which helps us to calculate how much urine has been lost.

A positive pad test may indicate Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), Urge Incontinence (UI) or Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB). The information isimportantand helps your urogynaecologist understand your symptoms so that they can discuss the most appropriate management with you.

How to perform the pad test

This test is performed by you over a 24-hour period that reflects your normal routine, whether you are at home or work. It must be started as soon as you wake up in the morning and completed the following morning at the same time (24 hours later).

You will have been given:

• a transport zip-locked bag
• 4 pre-weighed pads
• 4 empty zip-lock bags.

Place one of the pads provided in your underwear and continue your normal activities. Keep the other 3 pads and empty zip lock bags with your throughout the day.

When you feel a pad is ‘full’ place it into one of the inside zip-locked bags and seal it to prevent evaporation. Place this bag inside the outer transport bag. Then put on another pad and continue with your day as normal. Repeat this process each time you change your pad. Please wear one of the pads provided at all times during the 24 hours.

Please return all four of the provided pads and zip-locked bags (used and unused) in the outer bag.

In some circumstances four pads will not be enough, please continue to use your own pads but only return the four we gave you for the test as these have all been weighed to enable us to measure the amount of leaked urine. If you use your own pads, please make a note of this on the attached form so your urogynaecologist has this information.

Please return the bag to:

Urogynaecology Team

Clinic 21 Reception

Box No. 242

The Rosie Hospital

Please ensure the Pad test result form (attached) is securely attached to the bag so we can identify the bag as yours and ensure your results are available to your consultant. Please include ‘urogynaecology’ in the address, to ensure your test is given to the correct clinic staff in a timely manner.

Benefits

The benefit of the pad test is to establish the exact nature of your condition thereby ensuring you receive the correct management to help improve your quality of life.

Risks

There are no risks to this test.

Contacts and further information

For any questions or queries relating to this test please contact:

Urogynaecology Specialist Nurses
01223 349 239

08.00 – 18.00 Monday to Thursday and

08.00 – 17.30 Friday

Unavailable weekends and Bank Holidays

References and sources of evidence

European Medicines Agency, (2013) Guideline on the clinical investigation of medicinal products for the treatment of urinary incontinence. London (opens in a new tab) [Accessed 11^th August 2026]

Privacy and dignity

Same sex bays and bathrooms are offered in all wards except critical care and theatre recovery areas where the use of high-tech equipment and/or specialist one to one care is required.

Clinic 21 is mainly a female patient area only, however partners are allowed to accompany women.