I'm Having Trouble Urinating

Urinary hesitancy is the clinical name for having trouble peeing. If you’re having trouble urinating, it can be frustrating, painful, and concerning. Urinary hesitancy may show up as an inability to empty the bladder fully, a stop-and-start stream of urine, or a very weak stream of urine.

Your urinary hesitancy could be due to many factors. Men and women are both vulnerable, though men are more likely to suffer the problem. 

At Buschemeyer Urology, our team headed up by W. Cooper Buschemeyer III, MD, has the skills and experience necessary to find the root cause of your urinary hesitancy and offer the necessary treatment. 

Here’s some of the common causes that we see at our Conroe, Willis, and The Woodlands, Texas offices.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

When the prostate is enlarged, it can cause the urinary stream to be weak or stop and start. For some men, it can result in infection, reduced kidney function, or bladder stones. 

Bladder or pelvic organ prolapse

This condition affects women. It describes when the bladder shifts or falls and blocks the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body. Prolapse of the uterus or vagina can also compress the urethra. 

Specific medications

Some antidepressants and sinus medications containing the decongestant pseudoephedrine can affect your bladder habits. The medicines have an effect on the nervous outflow to the bladder, resulting in urinary hesitancy.

Neurological disorders

When you have conditions like multiple sclerosis or diabetic neuropathy, it’s possible to have nerve damage that interferes with your ability to fully empty your bladder.

Scar tissue

If you have scar tissue within the urethra, the small tube that lets urine exit the bladder, it can be much harder to pee. Scar tissue can result after surgery, trauma, or catheter placement. 

When should I see a urologist?

Talking about urinary hesitancy with your doctor may seem embarrassing, but it’s important to address. You might get used to a weak stream at first and not reach out to get help until you can’t pee. 

If you notice changes in your urination stream, it’s important to reach out to our office before you reach the point of being unable to pee altogether. 

If left untreated, urinary hesitancy can cause bladder infections or even kidney damage.

What can you do to help with urinary hesitancy?

We here at Buschemeyer Urology help with lifestyle changes, like timing your bathroom breaks so the bladder never gets too full. Hot baths can relieve tight pelvic floor muscles that prevent urine from exiting the body. Physical therapy also teaches you how to relax these muscles.

We may prescribe medications that shrink the prostate or relax the muscles of the urethra. Stimulation of the sacral nerve, the nerve that controls bladder function, with an implanted device is also possible. 

If Dr. Buschemeyer finds scar tissue is blocking your urine flow, surgery is performed to remove it. Removing part of the prostate can help men with an enlarged organ ease urination, too. Prolapse surgery for women stabilizes the organs that are pushing on the urethra.

If you’re experiencing a weak or halted urine flow, don’t hesitate to reach out to the friendly, caring staff at Buschemeyer Urology to set up a consultation. Call one of the offices in Conroe or Woodlands, Texas, today or use this website to arrange your appointment.