Urinary retention symptoms & treatment

A vasectomy is an outpatient procedure that provides permanent birth control.

Traditional vasectomies use an incision to reach the vas deferens, which requires a scalpel. During the vasectomy procedure, your vasectomy surgeon will cut the vas deferens – the tube that carries sperm from your testes (testicles) to your penis. Then they’ll tie off the cut ends. The procedure needs to be done on both testicles.

Male sterilization surgery won’t affect your ability to have an orgasm, ejaculate or create sperm. It just stops your sperm from mixing with your semen.

What is a vasectomy reversal?

As the name suggests, a vasectomy reversal reconnects the vas deferens so your body can release sperm again.

Vasectomy reversal procedures are microsurgeries that allow your testicles to release sperm again. They’re most often performed when someone wants to have children, though some are done to treat testicular pain that develops after a vasectomy.

Vasectomy reversals are more complicated than vasectomies, so it’s important to find a surgeon who has experience with the procedure.

Vasectomy reversal success

Success rates for vasectomy reversal procedures are highest if they’re done fewer than 10 years after the original vasectomy. Your age and your partner’s age are also factors in achieving a pregnancy.

Vasectomy cost vs. benefit

It’s important to carefully weigh vasectomy costs and benefits to be sure it’s the right choice for you. Although vasectomies can sometimes be reversed, there’s no guarantee that such a procedure will restore your fertility. Treat vasectomy as if it’s a final decision.

For more information

Find a vasectomy specialist near you.

Causes of urinary retention

Your pelvic floor includes the urinary tract muscles that support your kidneys, the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder (organ that stores urine) and the urethra (tube that carries urine out of the body). Your kidneys produce urine, which passes through the rest of your urinary tract and out of your body.

When these muscles weaken or become infected, inflamed or blocked (obstruction), your body has difficulty moving urine out of your body. The buildup of waste products in the bladder from leftover urine can damage your bladder and kidneys.

As you age, your risk of urinary retention increases. In most cases, urinary retention is caused by weak urinary muscles or pelvic floor dysfunction, or an obstruction like stones disease that inhibits the flow of urine through your urinary tract. Although it is rare in women, a urethra stricture, which narrows the urinary tract, can also lead to the inability to urinate.

The most common cause of acute urinary retention is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is a condition in men where the prostate gland is enlarged and the bladder wall is thickened. The prostate sits below the bladder and wraps around the urethra. If left untreated, this condition can cause the bladder to weaken and not empty completely.

Causes of urinary retention in females include pelvic floor dysfunction due to genetics, age, obesity or childbirth. A cystocele, or a prolapsed bladder, is a common type of pelvic organ prolapse that can cause obstruction of urinary flow. When this happens, supportive tissues in the pelvic floor are weakened and can no longer support the bladder, causing it to drop into the vaginal canal.

Other common causes of urinary retention include:

• Catheter use: Urinary retention after catheter removal is common in both inpatient and outpatient treatments.
• Constipation: Pressure on the bladder from a large amount of stool in the colon can cause the bladder to not contract as it should or empty well.
• Medications: Certain medications taken for other conditions, including antihistamines, antispasmodics, opiates and tricyclic antidepressants can impact the nerves that signal the bladder muscle to contract, resulting in decreased function.
• Neurologic issues: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes or a stroke can affect the connection between your brain and bodily functions, leading to bladder issues such as neurogenic bladder and urinary retention.
• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland, causing the prostate to press on the urethra.
• Uterine fibroids: Large fibroids may press against one of the ureters, causing bladder issues.
• Urethritis: A lower urinary tract infection which leads to swelling and urine retention.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Inflammation and infection of the urinary tract and genitals.

Urinary retention symptoms

Some of the symptoms of urinary retention are similar to urinary incontinence (if you can’t control your bladder) or UTIs. In some cases, especially with persistent chronic urinary retention, you may have little or no symptoms. It’s important to seek medication attention, especially in acute cases, so you can rule out other bladder issues and get the treatment you need.

Symptoms of acute urinary retention include:

• Experiencing severe pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen
• Unable to urinate, even though you feel the need to
• Feeling of fullness in your abdomen

Symptoms of chronic urinary retention include:

• Feeling like you need to urinate frequently and urgently
• Reduced urine output (called oliguria); the stream is not consistent or stops before you are finished
• Hesitant to urinate; trouble when you start to urinate
• Bladder leakage
• Mild discomfort in your hip and abdomen areas
• Feeling of your bladder not emptying or being full, but not sure if you need to urinate
• Frequently waking at night to urinate with the urine not passing

Urinary retention needs to be treated, especially acute cases, which can be life threatening. Chronic conditions also need treatment, as the buildup of toxins in the bladder from leftover urine can damage your bladder and kidneys.

If left untreated, urinary retention can lead to other painful clinical conditions such as UTIs, swollen kidneys, kidney failure, change in urine flow, bladder decompensation (failure of the muscle) and more. You’ll also continue to experience symptoms that impact the quality of your life.

Diagnosis of urinary retention

Acute cases of urinary retention will require immediate care to ease your pain and avoid complications. For chronic cases, you’ll meet with a urologist or urogynecologist first for a physical exam and to discuss your symptoms.

A urine sample to check for infection and a post-void residual test (bladder scan) will help diagnose your condition. A post-void residual test uses a catheter or ultrasound to measure the amount of urine left in your bladder.

Other tests may include:

• Cystoscopy: A tiny camera in a thin tube (cystoscope) is inserted through your urethra, allowing for images of the lining of your urethra and bladder to check for possible scarring, blockages like stones or an enlarged prostate or tumor.
• CT scan: Looks for stones or any other causes that block the flow of urine.
• Electromyography (EMG): Sensors measure electrical activity in the urinary muscles and nerves for possible damage.
• Prostate-specific antigen: A blood test to check for prostate cancer.
• Urodynamic testing: Tests the urine flow rate and the amount of pressure within the bladder to see how well it is emptying.

Urinary retention treatment

Your treatment plan will depend on your type and cause of urinary retention. In acute cases, your bladder will be immediately drained. This will provide immediate relief. Your provider will work with you on a treatment care plan tailored to your needs.

A long-term care plan will be determined for chronic urinary retention. This may include using catheters at home. Catheters will need to be changed several times a day to prevent infection. Your provider will teach you or a caretaker how to manage using catheters.

Other treatments may include:

• Alpha-blocker medications to reduce the size of the prostate (for BPH)
• Antibiotics for infections and inflammation in the urinary tract, bladder or prostate
• Medications to relax the prostate to improve urine flow
• Myomectomy (surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids)
• Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (surgical procedure to remove blockages in the upper urinary system)
• Pelvic organ prolapse repair

Lifestyle changes to improve bladder health

Certain changes to your lifestyle may help improve or prevent urinary retention and other bladder issues.

Pelvic floor exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve urinary muscle function

Behavioral techniques, such as bladder training

Eat a high fiber diet to avoid urinary retention caused by constipation

Monitor your water intake to better predict when you must urinate