Urinary Retention

When blockage in the urinary tract occurs, the bladder doesn’t empty all the way when you urinate. This condition is known as urinary retention.

Urinary retention can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term). Acute urinary retention comes on quickly and it could be severe. Whereas chronic urinary retention is a condition of retention for a longer period.

If you have an acute form of urinary retention, you need to see a urologist right away. Chronic urinary retention mostly happens in older men, but it can also occur in women.

What causes chronic urinary retention?

In men, an enlarged prostate gland is the most common cause of chronic urinary retention.

In women, the cause of urinary retention is the bladder that sags, known as a cystocele. Another cause could be the rectum that sags into the back wall of the vagina – a condition called rectocele.

Causes of urinary retention can include:

• A blockage in urinary retention.
• Medications for other conditions.
• Nerve issues interrupt the way your brain and urinary system communicate.
• Infections and swelling prevent urine from leaving your body.

When to see a urologist?

You should visit a urologist near you if you are unable to urinate or have severe pain in your abdomen or any of the other symptoms of urinary retention, such as trouble urinating, frequent urination, or leaking urine.