Do you often have trouble urinating, even when you really have to? It can be a sign of urine hesitancy. Urine hesitancy occurs when an individual has trouble urinating or maintaining the flow of urine. It’s common in older men but can happen to men and women of all ages. It can sometimes lead to urinary retention as well. It’s a condition when a person is unable to empty their bladder even after urinating.
Urinary hesitancy can occur due to numerous health conditions. Persistent symptoms of urine hesitancy may require a consultation with a urologist in Karachi or a urologist in Lahore to know the exact cause of your symptoms and the treatment options.
Symptoms of Urine Hesitancy
Trouble urinating or maintaining a urine stream is the first and eminent sign of urine hesitancy. Seeking immediate medical assistance is essential if the person experiences the following:
- Fever
- Unable to urinate completely
- Shivering
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Lower back painVisit the Site: Isaimini
Common causes of Urine Hesitancy
1. Benign Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
It is one of the most common causes of urine hesitancy, especially in men over 50. The urethra is the tube responsible for taking our urine out of our body. An enlarged prostate can constrict the urethra as it inflates inside the prostate gland. The strain from the enlarged prostate can make urinating difficult and decrease its flow as well.
2. Infections
An infection in the prostate can make it hard to urinate. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can create problems for your urinary tract. Moreover, prostatitis is a common infection in men that causes inflammation in the prostate gland and the prostate. It puts pressure on the urethra, making it difficult to urinate.
3. Psychological Conditions
Some psychological conditions may also act as a trigger for not urinating. One such condition is Shy Bladder Syndrome, also known as paruresis. In this condition, an individual may feel uncomfortable urinating in the presence of others, which may make it difficult to urinate, especially in public washrooms. Those with chronic stress may clench their pelvic muscles, hence making it hard for the muscles to relax and urinate.
4. Nerve Damage
Stroke, diabetes, accidents, brain or spinal cord infections, among others, can cause nerve damage. The brain of individuals with nerve damage may not get a signal when they want to go to the washroom, leading to urine hesitancy.
5. Surgical procedures
Surgeries can create scar tissues, especially surgical procedures that involve your urethra, bladder, or kidney. Anesthetics given during surgeries can also impair some of your nerves leading to urinary hesitation.
6. Medication
Some medications also play a role in causing urination issues. Decongestants, certain anti-allergy medicines, anti-depressants, and medicines for treating cold can lead to problems with urination. It’s best to ask your doctor for an alternative drug for your issue if you’re facing this side effect.
Diagnosing Urine Hesitancy
After taking your complete medical history, a doctor may assess your urine flow, and duration of symptoms. A doctor may advise you to get a prostate exam, urodynamic tests or imaging studies to give a final diagnosis.
The progression of urine hesitancy is slow, making this condition hard to diagnose. Delay in the identification of this disease can result in loss of ability to urinate. Moreover, it also leads to urinary retention, which causes discomfort and swelling in the bladder and needs instant medical attention.
