Urinary Retention: Check Your Symptoms and Signs

Urinary Retention

View Urinary Incontinence in Women Slideshow Pictures

MedicineNet - Urinary Retention

Urinary Retention Symptoms & Signs

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Related
Symptoms & Signs

Symptoms of urinary retention include the inability to urinate, which occurs when an individual is not fully able to empty his or her bladder, despite having the urge to urinate. Urinary retention may be an acute (happening suddenly) or longstanding (chronic) problem in both men or women and can be associated with other bladder problems or abnormalities within the pelvis. Urinary retention is more common in men than women and increases in frequency as men age. Any condition that results in a physical blockage of the urethra (the tube through which urine exits the bladder) can result in the inability to urinate. Another cause of urinary retention is a defect or disruption in the function of the nerves that control urination. Some medications can cause or worsen urinary retention. Examples of these include general anesthetic agents, stimulants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed and others) and phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim and others), and antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton).

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 4/13/2017

Health concern on your mind? Visit the Symptom Checker.

REFERENCES:

Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, U.S. National Institutes of Health. <http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/UrinaryRetention/>.

Main Article on Urinary Retention

Urinary Retention Urinary retention (inability to urinate) may be caused by nerve disease, spinal cord injury, prostate enlargement, infection,...learn more »

Causes of Urinary Retention

Bladder Infection (Cystitis) Bladder infection is an infection of the bladder, usually caused by bacteria or, rarely, by Candida. Certain people, including...learn more »
In This Article
Bladder Infection (Cystitis) Article
- What is a bladder infection?
- What causes bladder infections?
- What are some risk factors for bladder infection?
- What are the signs and symptoms of a bladder infection in women?
- What are the signs and symptoms of a bladder infection in men?
- What are the signs and symptoms of a bladder infection in children?
- How is a bladder infection diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for a bladder infection?
- Are home remedies effective for a bladder infection?
- How is a bladder infection during pregnancy treated?
- What are potential complications of a bladder infection?
- Can bladder infections be prevented?
- What is the prognosis for a bladder infection?
Blood Clots Blood clots can occur in the venous and arterial vascular system. Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins,...learn more »
Constipation (Home Remedies and Medications for Relief) Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week....learn more »
Cystocele A cystocele is also known as a fallen or prolapsed bladder. Heavy lifting and straining may cause a cystocele, which causes urine...learn more »
In This Article
Cystocele Article
- Cystocele facts*
- What is a cystocele?
- What causes a cystocele?
- How is a cystocele diagnosed?
- How is a cystocele treated?
- Where can people find more information about prolapsed bladders?
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are...learn more »
In This Article
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) Article
- Diabetes type 1 and type 2 definition and facts
- What is diabetes?
- How many people in the US have diabetes?
- 9 early signs and symptoms of diabetes
- How do I know if I have diabetes?
- What causes diabetes?
- What are the risk factors for diabetes?
- What are the different types of diabetes?
- What is type 1 diabetes
- What is type 2 diabetes
- What are the other types of diabetes?
- What kind of doctor treats diabetes?
- How is diabetes diagnosed?
- Why is blood sugar checked at home?
- What are the acute complications of diabetes?
- What are the chronic complications of diabetes?
- What can be done to slow the complications of diabetes?
- What is the prognosis for a person with diabetes?
Enlarged Prostate (BPH, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) is very common in men over 50 years of age. Half of all men over the...learn more »
In This Article
Enlarged Prostate (BPH, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) Article
- Enlarged prostate (BPH) definition and facts
- What is the prostate gland?
- What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?
- At what age do men develop the condition?
- How common is the condition? Are there any risk factors?
- What happens in BPH? What are the signs and symptoms?
- Is BPH a type of cancer?
- What procedures or tests diagnose this prostate problem?
- Which specialties of doctors treat the problem?
- Are there natural or home remedies to treat BPH or enlarged prostate?
- Medications and surgery procedures to treat BPH
- Are there other non-cancerous prostate problems?
- Can prostate problems be prevented?
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Interstitial cystitis (IC)/painful bladder syndrome (PBS) is an inflammatory disease of the bladder that can cause ulceration and...learn more »
In This Article
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Article
- Interstitial cystitis (IC)/painful bladder syndrome (PBS) facts
- Overview of urinary function
- What is interstitial cystitis (IC)/painful bladder syndrome (PBS)?
- What is the cause of interstitial cystitis?
- What are risk factors for interstitial cystitis?
- What are interstitial cystitis symptoms and signs?
- What types of doctors treat interstitial cystitis?
- How is interstitial cystitis diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for interstitial cystitis?
- Are there home remedies for interstitial cystitis?
- Are lifestyle modifications of value in the management of interstitial cystitis?
- What is the prognosis (outcome) of interstitial cystitis?
- Is it possible to prevent interstitial cystitis?
- Where can people find more information about IC/PBS?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS Symptoms, Causes, and Life Expectancy) Multiple sclerosis or MS is an autoimmune disorder in which brain and spinal cord nerve cells become demyelinated. This damage...learn more »
Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer. Risk factors include age, family history, ethnicity, and...learn more »
In This Article
Prostate Cancer Article
- Prostate cancer facts
- What is prostate cancer?
- What causes prostate cancer?
- What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
- What are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer?
- What specialists treat prostate cancer?
- What tests do health-care professionals use to diagnose prostate cancer?
- Prostate cancer biopsy results
- The accuracy of the PSA test
- What are the stages of prostate cancer?
- What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?
- Observation and active surveillance
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Focal therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Hormonal therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy/vaccine therapy
- Bone-targeted therapy
- Bisphosphonates
- Monoclonal antibody therapy
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Metastatic-castrate resistant prostate cancer
- Research techniques
- Complementary and alternative care approaches
- What is the prognosis for prostate cancer?
- Is it possible to prevent prostate cancer?
Prostatitis (Inflammation of the Prostate Gland) Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Causes of prostatitis include STDs, bacteria from urinary tract...learn more »
In This Article
Prostatitis (Inflammation of the Prostate Gland) Article
- Prostatitis facts
- Prostatitis definition
- What causes prostatitis?
- What are the risk factors for prostatitis?
- What are the signs and symptoms of prostatitis?
- When should I see my doctor for prostatitis?
- How is the diagnosis of prostatitis made?
- What is the treatment for prostatitis?
- What are the complications of prostatitis?
- What is the prognosis for prostatitis?
- Prostatitis conclusion
Prostatitis vs. BPH (Enlarged Prostate) Differences and Similarities Prostatitis and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, enlarged prostate gland) are both conditions of the prostate gland. There...learn more »
In This Article
Prostatitis vs. BPH (Enlarged Prostate) Differences and Similarities Article
- Prostatitis vs. BPH quick comparison of differences and similarities
- What is prostatitis?
- What is BPH (enlarged prostate)?
- Are prostatitis and BPH the same health problem?
- Do prostatitis and BPH cause pain?
- How can I tell the difference between prostatitis and BPH (signs and symptoms)?
- What causes prostatitis vs. BPH?
- Where is the prostate gland located, and what does it look like?
- What should I do if I think I may have one of these prostate problems?
- Are the treatments for prostatitis and BPH different?
- Can prostatitis and BPH be cured (prognosis)?
Stroke (Signs, Symptoms, Warning Signs) A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain caused by either a blood clot (ischemic) or bleeding...learn more »
In This Article
Stroke (Signs, Symptoms, Warning Signs) Article
- Stroke definition and facts
- What is a stroke?
- What is the NIH Stroke Scale?
- What are the risk factors for stroke?
- What are the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke?
- What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?
- What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
- What are the types of stroke?
- What causes a stroke?
- What tests diagnose stroke?
- What is the treatment for stroke?
- Is recovery after a stroke possible?
- What is stroke rehabilitation?
- What is the prognosis for a person that suffers a stroke?
- Which specialties of doctors treat stroke?
- Can strokes be prevented?
Urethral Stricture A urethral stricture, or narrowing of the urethra, may cause decreased urine output. Symptoms include painful urination, urinary...learn more »
In This Article
Urethral Stricture Article
- Urethral stricture facts
- What is the urethra?
- What is a urethral stricture?
- What are the risk factors and causes of urethral strictures?
- What are the symptoms and signs of a urethral stricture?
- What type of doctor treats urethral obstruction?
- How do physicians diagnose urethral strictures?
- Are there any special tests for diagnosing urethral strictures?
- What is the treatment for urethral strictures?
- What surgical options are available for urethral strictures?
- How are urethral strictures followed after repair?
- What is the recovery period after surgery to repair a urethral stricture?
- Is it possible to prevent a urethral stricture?
- What is the prognosis for urethral stricture?