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Urinary Retention
-  Definition & Facts 
-  Symptoms & Causes 
-  Diagnosis 
-  Treatment 
-  Prevention 
-  Clinical Trials 

# Symptoms & Causes of Urinary Retention

## What are the symptoms of urinary retention?

### Acute urinary retention

Symptoms of acute urinary retention may include
          - the inability to  urinate
          - pain—often severe—in your lower  abdomen
          - the urgent need to urinate
          - swelling of your lower abdomen

### Chronic urinary retention

Chronic urinary retention develops over time and may cause few or no symptoms, which may make it hard to detect. If your chronic urinary retention causes symptoms, they may include
          - the inability to completely empty your  bladder  when urinating
          - frequent urination in small amounts
          - difficulty starting the flow of  urine , called hesitancy
          - a slow urine stream
          - the urgent need to urinate, but with little success
          - feeling the need to urinate after finishing urination
          - leaking urine without any warning or urge
          - lower abdominal pain or discomfort
The symptoms of acute urinary retention are often severe and can include abdominal pain and the inability to urinate, whereas chronic urinary retention may cause few or no symptoms.

## When should I see a health care professional?

See a health care professional right away if you are unable to urinate or have severe pain in your abdomen. Acute urinary retention can be life threatening.

If you have any of the other symptoms of urinary retention, such as trouble urinating, frequent urination, or leaking urine, talk with your health care professional about your symptoms and possible treatments. Chronic urinary retention can cause serious health problems.

## What causes urinary retention?

The causes of urinary retention are related to either a blockage that partially or fully prevents urine from leaving your bladder or urethra, or your bladder not being able to maintain a strong enough force to expel all the urine.

### Blockage or narrowing in the urethra or bladder neck

For you to be able to urinate normally, all parts of your urinary tract need to work together in the correct order. Urine normally flows from your kidneys, through the ureters to your bladder, and out the urethra. If a blockage or narrowing occurs somewhere along the urinary tract, you may have difficulty urinating, and if the blockage is severe, you may not be able to urinate at all.

Medical problems that may narrow the urethra and block urine flow include
          - enlarged  prostate , or  benign prostatic hyperplasia
          - bladder outlet obstruction , such as urethral  stricture  or scar tissue in the  bladder neck
          - pelvic organ prolapse , including  cystocele  and  rectocele
          - urinary tract stones, also called  calculi
          - constipation
          - pelvic masses, such as noncancerous or cancerous tumors, fibroids,  polyps , or clots
          - tight  pelvic floor muscles
          - infections, such as  urinary tract infection ,  sexually transmitted diseases , or  prostatitis
          - trauma to the  pelvis , urethra, or  penis

### Inefficient bladder contraction (underactive bladder)

You may develop urinary retention when your bladder muscles aren’t able to contract with enough strength or do not contract long enough to empty your bladder completely—also called underactive bladder. Causes of underactive bladder include

**Neurological problems.** Urinary retention can occur when there is a problem with your nervous system that prevents messages from travelling from your brain to your bladder and urethra. There are many different causes of neurological problems, including
          - Parkinson’s disease
          - multiple sclerosis
          - Alzheimer’s disease
          - stroke
          - birth defects, such as  spina bifida
          - diabetes
          - spinal cord injury
          - traumatic brain injury
          - pelvic injury
          - vaginal birth
          - Guillain-Barré syndrome
          - Fowler’s syndrome
          - heavy metal poisoning

**Medicines.** Urinary retention can be caused by certain medicines that interfere with nerve signals to your bladder, urethra, or prostate. Examples of these medicines include
          - alpha-adrenergic agonists
          - anticholinergics  and  antispasmodics
          - antidepressants
          - antihistamines and decongestants
          - antiparkinsonian medications
          - antipsychotics
          - benzodiazepines
          - calcium channel blockers
          - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as  aspirin  and  ibuprofen
          - opioids
          - serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors

**Surgery.** It is common to develop temporary urinary retention right after surgery. During surgery, you are often given intravenous (IV) fluid, which may lead to a full bladder. You are also given anesthesia, which can prevent you from feeling the need to urinate despite having a full bladder. In addition, pelvic surgery can cause swelling, scar tissue, and trauma that can partially or fully block the flow of urine out of your bladder or urethra.

**Weak bladder muscles.** Bladder muscles that are weak may not contract with enough strength or force to empty the bladder completely. Causes of weakness can include
          - age-related loss of bladder muscle strength
          - overdistention—a bladder that has been stretched such that the muscles are damaged
          - pregnancy and childbirth
          - trauma

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        This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.