Urinary Retention Treatment in Johor Bahru and Batu Pahat, Johor
Unable to pass urine, or living with a catheter? Consultant urologist Dato’ Dr Azhar Amir Hamzah finds the cause and treats it, so you can pass urine on your own again.
What is urinary retention?
Urinary retention means the bladder cannot empty properly. It can be sudden (acute), when you cannot pass urine at all and the lower tummy becomes painful and swollen, or long term (chronic), when the bladder only partly empties. Sudden retention is an emergency and needs a catheter to drain the bladder straight away.
Symptoms
- Unable to pass urine despite a full, painful bladder (acute)
- Weak stream, dribbling or straining (chronic)
- Feeling the bladder is still full after passing urine
- Passing small amounts often, or leaking urine
- Swelling in the lower tummy
Common causes
- Enlarged prostate in men
- Narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture)
- Bladder or kidney stones
- Some medicines, such as certain cold, allergy and pain medicines
- Constipation
- Nerve problems from diabetes, stroke or spinal conditions
- After surgery or anaesthesia
How Dato’ Dr Azhar assesses and treats urinary retention
In sudden retention, the bladder is first drained with a catheter for relief. Dato’ Dr Azhar then finds the cause using ultrasound, a flow test, urodynamic tests and, when needed, a cystoscopy.
Treatment depends on the cause: medicine and a trial without catheter, TURP or laser surgery for an enlarged prostate, repair of a urethral narrowing, or treatment of stones. For bladder weakness from nerve problems, he can teach clean self catheterisation so you stay in control. The goal is for you to pass urine without a permanent catheter wherever possible.
When to see a urologist
- You have needed a catheter because you could not pass urine
- You often feel your bladder is not empty
- A weak stream that is getting worse
- Unable to pass urine at all with lower tummy pain: go to emergency care now
FAQs
Is urinary retention an emergency?
Sudden retention, when you cannot pass urine at all, is an emergency. Go to the nearest emergency department.
Will I need a catheter permanently?
Most people do not. Once the cause is treated, many people pass urine normally again.
What is a trial without catheter?
The catheter is removed after a few days of medicine to see if you can pass urine on your own.