How Can Urinary Retention Be Prevented
For men:
If you have an enlarged prostate, be sure to take prostate medications as prescribed by your doctor and avoid medications associated with urinary retention, such as over-the-counter cold and allergy medications that contain decongestants.
For women:
If you have mild cystocele or rectocele, you may be able to prevent urinary retention by doing exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles.
Kimberly-Clark Australia makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or other health professional advice.
Healthdirect.gov.au, . Urinary retention. Available at: .
http://www.health.qld.gov.au, . Adult Urinary Obstruction, Retention and Bladder Scanning. Available at: .
John P. Cunha, F. . Urinary Retention: Get the Facts on Causes and Treatment. MedicineNet. Available at: .
Kidney.niddk.nih.gov, . Urinary Retention – National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Available at: .
Knott, MD, L. . Acute Urinary Retention. Information about AUR. Patient | Patient.co.uk. Patient.co.uk. Available at: .
Treatment Of Urinary Retention
Many treatments are available for urinary retention, including medication, devices, procedures and surgery. Treatment will depend on the cause and the disease specifics.
For acute urinary retention, medical providers will use a catheter to drain the bladder. Then the doctor will seek the cause of the urinary retention and determine a course of treatment.
Causes Of Residual Urine
Causes for residual urine remaining in the bladder include for example:
- Diseases of the urethra and the penis
- Diseases of the urinary bladder
- Neurogenic causes
- pelvic floor fractures
Other causes in men include for example prostate enlargements such as benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. The growth of the prostate leads to a narrowing of the urethra. Passing of urine is therefore more difficult. The urine stream is attenuated and interrupted. In the advanced stage, residual urine forms.
In women, a uterine prolapse can cause bladder complaints. The dropping of the uterus causes the urethra to be compressed. After initially increased urination, patients feel an urge to urinate again after only a short time. However, only small amounts of urine can be emptied. Residual urine remains in the bladder.
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What Is Urinary Hesitancy
Urinary hesitancy is a condition in which you have difficulty urinating. You may find it challenging to start a stream or keep it flowing. Your flow may stop before your bladder is empty.
Although urinary hesitancy affects both sexes, it’s more common in men.
People sometimes don’t want to discuss urinary hesitancy with their doctors. Without proper attention, the problem may gradually progress, causing other issues like discomfort and a burning sensation during peeing.
When To Seek Medical Care
A person who has any of the following symptoms should see a health care provider right away:
- complete inability to urinate
- electromyography
Physical Exam
A health care provider may suspect urinary retention because of a patient’s symptoms and, therefore, perform a physical exam of the lower abdomen. The health care provider may be able to feel a distended bladder by lightly tapping on the lower belly.
Postvoid Residual Measurement
This test measures the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination. The remaining urine is called the postvoid residual. A specially trained technician performs an ultrasound, which uses harmless sound waves to create a picture of the bladder, to measure the postvoid residual. The technician performs the bladder ultrasound in a health care provider’s office, a radiology center, or a hospital, and a radiologist — a doctor who specializes in medical imaging — interprets the images. The patient does not need anesthesia.
A health care provider may use a catheter — a thin, flexible tube — to measure postvoid residual. The health care provider inserts the catheter through the urethra into the bladder, a procedure called catheterization, to drain and measure the amount of remaining urine. A postvoid residual of 100 mL or more indicates the bladder does not empty completely. A health care provider performs this test during an office visit. The patient often receives local anesthesia.
Medical Tests
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Mistake #: Not Drinking Enough Water
Many urinary complaints are related to poor hydration. Generally speaking, if your urine is clear or very light, that’s a sign you are drinking the right amount of water. If your urine is dark yellow or amber, that’s usually a sign of dehydration.
Odor, an “off” color, and the sense of burning while voiding are other signs that might indicate you are not properly hydrated. Not drinking enough water can contribute to UTIs and kidney stones. Concentrated urine can irritate the lining of the bladder, making it more sensitive. It is also more likely to form kidney or bladder stones.
Many patients ask if drinking alternative fluids will suffice, but many beverages contain high sugar concentrations or caffeine, which can have other health effects, says Dr. Brito, noting these might make overactive bladder symptoms worse. Water is the safest option to maintain hydration and keep your kidneys and bladder healthy.
There are some conditions that can make your urine appear more concentrated even if you are well-hydrated, such as liver problems or hematuria. So, if you are drinking enough water but have dark-colored urine, odor, or burning, its worth a trip to a urologist, who can evaluate your symptoms more closely.
“The ability to urinate freely and without difficulty is taken for granted by most people,” says Dr. Brito. So, next time you have to go, follow the above advice for better urinary health.
Cause Of Urinary Problems As Men Age
Many men experience urinary symptoms as they age, which may be caused by inflammation of the prostate gland . In older men, symptoms may be due to a blockage in the tubes due to a benign enlargement of the prostate gland . The most common symptom is difficulty emptying your bladder. Urinary symptoms may become bothersome enough that they require treatment. Not all urinary symptoms are due to changes to the prostate. Also, some men have enlarged prostates and yet experience few, if any, symptoms.
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Specific Conditions Of Urinary Retention That Only Apply To Men
Enlarged Prostate The major reason men experience urinary retention is due to a problem with the prostate gland. The urethra passes through the prostate from the bladder to the penis where urine is expelled from the body. An enlarged prostate caused by an infection, benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer, presses down on the prostate and hampers the normal flow of urine from the body. The larger the prostate gets, the more difficult it becomes to expel urine. This is very common in older men, who may then have hassles with leaking.
STIs Diseases spread by sexually transmitted infections can also cause swelling in the genital areas as well as the prostate, and add to the blockage issues.
Blockage problems- Blockage problems in men can cause urine to back up into the system. This can lead to other unpleasant urinary hassles such as leaking and bladder infections.
Scar tissue This may develop as a result of radiation, or surgical procedures involving the urinary tract and can constrict the urethra or bladder outlet, causing urinary blockage.
Infection- An infection on the tip of the penis that may develop from STI or thrush issues is likely to cause painful, difficult urination.
Whether you are male or female, and whether you have an obstructive or non-obstructive type of urinary retention or even both it is essential to visit a doctor as soon as possible to stop serious health issues developing.
You Have An Infection
UTIs are another common cause of urinary retention, says Dr. Ramin, because they can create bladder weakness or swelling in the urethra.
Prostate infections and some sexually transmitted infections can also cause bladder swelling, which can lead to problems with retention, the Cleveland Clinic notes.
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Try To Keep Bowel Movements Regular
- As your bladder and bowel are next to each other, a full bowel affects bladder function.
- Many people find their bladder control problems are worse if they are constipated , which can happen if you dont empty your bowel regularly or dont eat enough fibre.
- Avoid straining while emptying your bowels as this can overstretch the muscles of your pelvic floor and may lead to weakness developing.
Inflammation Of The Prostate Gland
Bacteria sometimes cause prostatitis . More commonly, the underlying cause is uncertain. Consult your doctor promptly if you experience:
- fever
- pain in the groin
- urgent and frequent urination.
Treatment with antibiotics is essential for acute bacterial prostatitis. Admission to hospital is often necessary and, as with chronic bacterial prostatitis, specific antibacterial drugs are required for a long time.
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How Is Urinary Retention Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and the medicines you take. He will press or tap on your lower abdomen. You may need any of the following tests:
- A digital rectal exam is when healthcare providers carefully feel the size of your prostate.
- A post void residual test will show how much urine is left in your bladder after you urinate. You will be asked to urinate and then healthcare providers will use a small ultrasound machine to check how much urine is left in your bladder.
- Blood or urine tests may show infection or prostate specific antigen levels. PSA may be elevated in prostate cancer.
- An ultrasound uses sound waves to show pictures on a monitor. An ultrasound may be done to show bladder stones, infection, or other problems.
- A CT scan , or CAT scan, is a type of x-ray that is taken of your prostate, kidneys, and bladder. The pictures may show what is causing your urinary retention. You may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help healthcare providers see the pictures better. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast dye.
Don’t Hover Above The Toilet Seat
As stated in this article, hovering can lead to incomplete bladder evacuation due to tense pelvic muscles. If your muscles are unable to relax then they won’t allow the bladder to fully release. SO SIT DOWN AND RELAX!!! Don’t hover. Unless you’re in a really icky outhouse… Then maybe you can hover.
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What Causes Chronic Urinary Retention
Urinary retention can happen for several different reasons. These causes can include:
- A blockage to the way urine leaves your body.
- Medications youre taking for other conditions.
- Nerve issues that interrupt the way your brain and urinary system communicate.
- Infections and swelling that prevent urine from leaving your body.
- Complications and side effects of medications given to you for a surgical procedure.
Blockage
When something blocks the free flow of urine through the bladder and urethra, you might experience urinary retention. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body. In men, a blockage can be caused when the prostate gland gets so big that it presses on the urethra. This is the most common cause of chronic urinary retention in men. One cause in women is a bladder that sags. This is called cystocele. It can also be caused when the rectum sags into the back wall of the vagina a condition called rectocele. Some causes can happen to both men and women. The urethra can get narrow due to scar tissue. This is called a stricture. Urinary stones can also block the flow of urine out of your body.
Medications
Nerve issues
- Trauma to the spine or pelvis.
- Pressure on the spinal cord from tumors and a herniated disk.
- Vaginal childbirth.
Urinary retention from nerve disease occurs at the same rate in men and women.
Infections and swelling
Surgery
How To Empty The Bladder
This article was co-authored by Robert Dhir, MD. Dr. Robert Dhir is a board certified Urologist, Urological Surgeon, and the Founder of HTX Urology in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Dhirs expertise includes minimally-invasive treatments for enlarged prostate , kidney stone disease, surgical management of urological cancers, and mens health . His practice has been named a Center of Excellence for the UroLift procedure, and is a pioneer in non-surgical procedures for ED using his patented Wave Therapy. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Georgetown University and was awarded honors in pre-medical studies, urology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Dr. Dhir served as chief resident during his urological surgical residency at University of Texas at Houston / MD Anderson Cancer Center in addition to completing his internship in general surgery. Dr. Dhir was voted Top Doctor in Urology for 2018 to 2019, one of the top three Best Rated Urologists in 2019 & 2020 for Houston Texas, and Texas Monthly has named him to the 2019 & 2020 Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars list.There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 84% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 404,692 times.
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Bphs Relation To Prostate Cancer
Summers says BPH is not a precursor to prostate cancer, though his patients often worry about that.
Prostate cancer may have no symptoms at all, Summers says. but we do screening for prostate cancer during any workup for BPH.
Part of that cancer screening is checking prostate specific antigen levels. Of note, both prostate cancer and BPH can cause an elevated PSA.
Treatment For Urinary Problems
If your urinary problems are caused by infection or enlargement of the prostate gland, treatment may include:
- a long course of antibacterial medication because infection is difficult to get rid of, the antibacterial medication will need to be taken for many weeks
- medication to improve urine flow and other symptoms
- surgical procedures the type of surgery required depends on the size of the prostate and the condition of the urethra. Types of procedures include:
- transurethral resection of the prostate
- transurethral incision of the prostate
- laser resection of the prostate
- open surgery prostatectomy
- removal of prostate tissue using water jets or steam
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Symptoms Of Urinary Problems
Urinary symptoms commonly experienced with prostate problems include:
- the need to urinate frequently during the night
- urinating more often during the day
- urinary urgency the urge to urinate can be so strong and sudden that you may not reach the toilet in time
- the urine stream is slow to start
- urine dribbling for some time after finishing urination
- a sensation that the bladder isn’t fully emptied after urination
- lack of force to the urine flow, which makes directing the stream difficult
- the sensation of needing to go again soon after urinating.
Although these symptoms often do not need treatment, see your doctor if they are causing you difficulty, as they can be successfully treated.
Causes Of Urinary Retention
Urinary retention has several potential causes, listed below.
- An obstruction of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder and expels it from the body. This obstruction can be caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia , urethral stricture , urinary tract stones, pelvic organ prolapse , constipation, and some cancers and other tumors. A urinary tract infection or a sexually transmitted infection can cause swelling that blocks the urethra.
- Infection or inflammation, which can be caused by conditions such as herpes simplex virus or Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- Weakened bladder muscles.
- Medications that change the way the bladder works. These may include cold medicines and antihistamines, some antidepressants and antispasmodics.
- Nerve problems. Sometimes these are caused by chronic medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke and diabetes. Occasionally they are due to damage from vaginal childbirth.
- Post-operative problems. The pelvic organs sometimes are damaged during surgery. Other problems can result from surgery to the pelvic region or medicines given before or during surgery.
- Damage due to catheterization.
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Causes Of Incomplete Bowel Movement
There are various reasons why you may be experiencing incomplete bowel movement or tenesmus. Tenesmus may be a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease or other changes in the rectum or intestines. Other possible reasons are:
- motility disorders of the intestines, including pelvic floor dyssynergia
Constipation can be the result of:
- lifestyle changes, such as inactivity
- alterations to the diet
- medications, including certain narcotics, antidepressants, codeine, and calcium or iron supplements
- an underlying condition, such as Parkinsons disease, hypothyroidism, or diabetes
- intestinal strictures from surgery or trauma
Types Of Male Urinary Dysfunction
At NYU Langone, our urologists treat men who have urinary dysfunction, which arises when the bladder or urethral sphincter doesnt work properly or an enlarged prostate blocks urine flow. Causes may include conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and neurogenic voiding dysfunction, both of which may be accompanied by bothersome urinary symptoms, such as the inability to empty the bladder.
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