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Chronic Urinary Retention
- When the bladder does not empty properly
- Obstruction in the urinary tract
- Enlarged prostate gland can press on the urethra (in men)
- Cystocele: A bladder that sags (in women)
- Rectocele: Rectum that sags into the back wall of the vagina (in women)
- Drugs including antihistamines, antispasmodics, anticholinergics and tricyclic antidepressants that can change the way the bladder muscle works
- Urethral stricture
- Urinary stones
- Catheter use
- Nerve problems that interfere with signals from the brain to the bladder
- Nerves can be damaged from vaginal childbirth, spinal cord injuries/infections, diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis, pelvic injury/trauma and benign prostatic hyperplasia
- If the bladder tries to release but cannot due to weak pelvic floor muscles or the sphincter not relaxing at the right time
- A struggle to start the flow of urine
- Weak flow
- Feeling the need to go, but cannot start
- Feeling the need to urinate right after you’ve gone
- Medical history: To address past and current health issues and over-the-counter and prescription drugs being taken
- Physical exam: Of the lower abdomen (for men and women) and prostate check (for men)
- Urinalysis: To test for infection/blood/abnormalities
- Bladder ultrasound: To show how much urine is still in the bladder post-urination
- Cystoscopy: To look at the lining of your urethra and bladder to check for urethral stricture, a blockage caused by a stone, an enlarged prostate or a tumour
- CT scan: Can help find stones or anything else blocking the flow of urine
- Catheter tests: Can determine urine flow rate and how well the bladder empties
- Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) blood test: To screen for prostate cancer
- Electromyography (EMG): Uses sensors to measure electrical activity of muscles and nerves in and near the bladder and urethral sphincter
- Enlarged Prostate
- Oral Medications: Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors to help shrink the prostate
- Laser therapy: To break up the blockage
- Surgery: Transurethral resection of the prostate to remove a section of the prostate
- Cystocele/Rectocele
- Pelvic Physiotherapy: To strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
- Vaginal Pessary: Insertion of vaginal pessary (ring) to support the bladder
- Estrogen Therapy: For post-menopausal women
- Surgery: To lift the sagging bladder/rectum
- Urethral Stricture
- Using catheters and balloons to open the urethra
- Stent: Can prop open a closed urethra (in men)
- Surgery: Using a knife/laser to make a cut to open the stricture
- Nerve-related
- Self-catheterization
