what is urinary retention

4 min read 12-03-2025

Urinary retention is a condition where you're unable to completely empty your bladder. This means urine remains in your bladder after you've finished urinating. It can range from a minor inconvenience to a serious medical emergency, depending on the cause and severity.

What is Urinary Retention?

Urinary retention occurs when the bladder doesn't empty properly. The inability to urinate can be partial or complete, and the underlying cause varies greatly. It's important to understand that this isn't simply difficulty urinating; it's the inability to fully empty the bladder, leaving a significant amount of urine behind.

Causes of Urinary Retention

Several factors can contribute to urinary retention. These causes can be broadly categorized as:

Obstructive Causes:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): An enlarged prostate gland is a common cause, particularly in older men. The enlarged prostate constricts the urethra, making urination difficult.
Prostate cancer: Tumors in the prostate can also obstruct urine flow.
Urethral stricture: Narrowing of the urethra due to injury, infection, or scarring.
Kidney stones: Stones blocking the urinary tract.
Bladder stones: Stones forming within the bladder.
Urethral valves: Abnormal tissue flaps in the urethra.

Neurogenic Causes:

Neurological disorders: Conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, spinal cord injuries, and diabetes can affect nerve signals to the bladder, impairing its ability to contract and empty.
Peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system.

Other Causes:

Medications: Certain medications, particularly some antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants, can contribute to urinary retention as a side effect.
Post-surgical complications: Surgery in the pelvic area can sometimes lead to temporary or persistent urinary retention.
Infection: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can sometimes cause inflammation and spasm, making it difficult to urinate.
Psychological factors: In some cases, anxiety or stress can contribute to urinary retention.

Symptoms of Urinary Retention

Symptoms can vary depending on the severity and cause of the retention. Common symptoms include:

Frequent urination: You might urinate frequently, but only small amounts each time.
Straining to urinate: You might need to strain or push to start or continue urinating.
Weak or interrupted urine stream: The urine stream might be weak, slow, or stop and start.
Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying: After urinating, you may still feel like you need to go.
Lower abdominal pain or discomfort: A full bladder can cause discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen.
Overflow incontinence: In severe cases, the bladder may overflow, leading to involuntary leakage of urine.

Diagnosing Urinary Retention

A doctor will typically diagnose urinary retention through a physical exam, reviewing medical history, and potentially ordering diagnostic tests. These tests might include:

Post-void residual (PVR) measurement: This test uses ultrasound to measure the amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination.
Urinalysis: This checks for signs of infection or other abnormalities in the urine.
Cystoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the urethra to visualize the bladder and urethra.
Imaging tests: Such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to identify any blockages or abnormalities in the urinary tract.

Treatment for Urinary Retention

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the retention. Options include:

Immediate Relief:

Catheterization: A thin, flexible tube is inserted into the urethra to drain the urine from the bladder. This is often a temporary measure to relieve discomfort and prevent complications.

Long-Term Management:

Medication: Alpha-blockers (for BPH), antibiotics (for UTIs), or other medications depending on the cause.
Surgery: Procedures like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for BPH or removal of bladder stones or kidney stones.
Lifestyle changes: Losing weight, avoiding certain medications, and managing stress can help in some cases.
Intermittent self-catheterization (ISC): Learning to catheterize yourself regularly to empty the bladder.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience any symptoms of urinary retention, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Delaying treatment can lead to serious complications, including:

Bladder damage: A constantly full bladder can stretch and weaken the bladder muscle.
Kidney damage: Back pressure from a full bladder can damage the kidneys.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): A stagnant urine environment increases the risk of infection.

This information is for general knowledge and doesn't constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.