Can anyone tell me about reflex voiding? How/when to do it, if at all?

I currently do intermittent cath 5x per day. I just had a urodynamics test done and doc said I have a beautiful bladder, perfect pressure, good sensation of urge and should practice reflex voiding. Should I? And if I do, would I cath afterwards to remove residual urine?

Does it have any benefit as an exercise/therapy? She said not to try to push out the flow, but to practice interrupting/stopping it, if possible?

But I have also heard that reflex, or stimulated, voiding causes long-term damage and is no longer recommended. I guess it should not replace intermittent cathing...

And how does one trigger the reflex?

Any info on this topic would be greatly appreciated..

I am post injury 40+year and have never been able to tolerate an indwelling cath and for years used an external cath which worked well enough and then discontinued the cath only voiding when I felt I needed. This method has worked fairly well and sure as hell beat an indwelling cath. I have few bladder or kidney infections over the years--right after the trauma a TUR was performed and that may have something to do with it.

If you try to reflex void your bladder, make sure you can completely empty your bladder with that process... and make sure that you are not backing urine up into your kidneys. I used reflex voiding for several years, and it contributed to the complete loss of my kidney function.

As always, it's best to consult your doctor about these issues. There are tests that can show if reflex voiding is working for you.

To be honest, I'm not sure how I'd feel if someone described my bladder as 'beautiful'.

yes, a strange choice of words. she's a foreigner though. but i've had a radiologist fall in love with my aesthetically pleasing lungs, too.....