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Do you feel like you can't fully empty your bladder?

Ask your doctor about treatment options for Urinary Retention.

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Do you feel like you can’t fully empty your bladder?

Urinary retention can affect how the bladder stores and empties urine, sometimes causing difficulty urinating. Learn more about the condition and its symptoms.

What is Urinary Retention?

Urinary Retention is the inability to empty the bladder completely. Many individuals living with this condition feel frequent urges but only urinate in small amounts are unable to urinate.

For people living with urinary retention, bladder emptying may become difficult or incomplete. Some people experience a weak urine stream, difficulty starting urination, or the sensation that urine is still left in the bladder after using the bathroom. Others may experience frequent bathroom visits, bladder pressure, discomfort, or sudden urgency because the bladder is not emptying properly.

These symptoms can become frustrating, exhausting, and disruptive to everyday life. Speaking to a healthcare professional may help you identify the underlying cause and explore therapies that may help improve bladder emptying.

Find a Urinary Retention specialist

Do you feel like you cannot fully empty your bladder?

Is it hard to start urinating? Do you feel like sometimes you have a frequent urge to urinate, but you only go a small amount? If so, you may have urinary retention. You may be suffering from urinary retention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Hesitancy

Your experience difficulty starting to urinate

Frequent small voids

You urinate only a small amount, often resulting in frequent trips to the toilet.

Slow urine stream

You need to strain when urinating and have a slow urine stream.

Post-Void fullness

Your experience lower abdominal bloating or discomfort.

What causes Urinary Retention?

Generally, there are two types of Urinary Retention: obstructive and non-obstructive.

Obstructive:

Obstructive Urinary Retention happens when something is getting in the way of urine leaving your bladder. Common causes may include:

  •  Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
  • Urethral narrowing
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Bladder stones
  • Tumours

Non-Obstructive:

Non-Obstructive Urinary Retention is typically a chronic condition that can affect you for a long time. Common causes may be:

  • Nerve dysfunction
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Previous pelvic surgery

Nerve and bladder muscle issues are one of the possible causes of Non-Obstructive Urinary Retention. Passing urine happens when the brain tells the bladder muscle to tighten, which squeezes urine from the bladder. The brain signals the sphincter muscles to relax to let urine flow through the urethra and out of the bladder. Any missed signals that get in the way of this normal communication between the brain and the bladder may cause urinary retention.

Urinary Retention can also cause considerable stress and have a negative impact on quality of life19. Symptoms may get in the way of work, social life and exercise. Many people don’t ask for help as they may feel embarrassed. It’s important to know that there are treatments available to help you manage non-obstructive urinary retention symptoms. 

Learn more about Urinary Retention treatments

References:

19. Bulkamid Patient Information Leaflet 2021 OUS 110-0256-003rB 06/2021

Disclaimer and endnotes: 

Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.

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Individual symptoms, situations, circumstances and results may vary. This quiz is meant for information purposes only, it is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider regarding your condition and appropriate medical treatment. This site is intended for Australian residents only. Please review the Boston Scientific Privacy Policy, for practices on the collection, storage, use and disclosure of your personal information.

Content of videos are for Information Purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. BSC strongly recommends that you consult with your physician on all matters pertaining to your health or to address any questions.

The Axonics SNM system is not a first-line treatment. Surgery is required for use of Axonics SNM system, and any surgical procedure carries risk. Outcomes vary for each patient. Patients should consult their healthcare professional about factors that could impact response.

CAUTION: This product is not available for purchase by the general public. Indications, contraindications, warnings, and instructions for use can be found in the product labelling supplied with each device or at www.IFU-BSCI.com.

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