Urinary retention can be treated in a variety of ways, including bladder drainage, urethral dilation, urethral stents, prostate medications and surgery. The type and length of treatment depends on the type and cause of urinary retention.
Bladder drainage involves catheterization to drain urine. Treatment of acute urinary retention begins with catheterization to relieve the immediate distress of a full bladder and prevent bladder damage. The health care provider passes a catheter through the urethra into the bladder. In cases of a blocked urethra, he or she can pass a catheter directly through the lower abdomen, just above the pubic bone, directly into the bladder. In these cases, the health care provider will use anesthesia.
Urethral dilation treats urethral stricture by inserting increasingly wider tubes into the urethra to widen the stricture. An alternative dilation method involves inflating a small balloon at the end of a catheter inside the urethra.
Another treatment for urethral stricture involves inserting an artificial tube, called a stent, into the urethra to the area of the stricture. Once in place, the stent expands like a spring and pushes back the surrounding tissue, widening the urethra. Stents may be temporary or permanent.
Certain medications can also be administered to stop the growth of or shrink the prostate to relieve urinary retention, and these include dutasteride and finasteride, among other medications.
The last resort for treating urinary retention is prostate surgery. To treat urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, a urologist may surgically destroy or remove enlarged prostate tissue by using the transurethral method. Removal of the enlarged tissue usually relieves the blockage and urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.
FAQs
Depending on the type of treatment, recovery can take anywhere between two days to several months.
What are the side effects of urinary retention? ›
People with acute urinary retention may experience:
- Inability to urinate, despite a strong urge to do so.
- Lower abdominal pain or discomfort.
- Bloating in the lower abdomen.
- Lower back pain.
Urinary retention is a common and treatable condition. If you notice changes in urination or you can't pee at all, contact your healthcare provider. Several treatment options can help you manage your symptoms.
How long does it take for urination to return to normal after surgery? ›
It's pretty common to have difficulty peeing after surgery. Most of the time, the issue will resolve on its own within a few weeks. But if you can't pee at all within 7 hours of having surgery, seek immediate medical care.
How painful is urinary retention? ›
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.
Can drinking water fix urinary retention? ›
In turn, the kidneys will only be able to make highly concentrated urine that irritates the bladder. Therefore, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day is one of the essential pieces of any treatment plan for urinary retention.
What is the fastest way to get rid of urinary retention? ›
Acute. You'll need treatment right away for acute urinary retention. A catheter will likely be inserted to help quickly drain the urine. Local anesthesia will be used to make sure you don't feel pain or discomfort from the catheter.
How do doctors fix urinary retention? ›
Treatments for urinary retention may include draining the bladder, medicines, medical procedures or devices, surgery, and self-care treatments.
How do you pee after urinary retention? ›
With acute urinary retention, a health care professional will immediately drain the urine from your bladder using a catheter. Removing the urine from the bladder eases your pain and helps prevent your bladder and kidneys from being damaged.
What happens if you don't fix urinary retention? ›
Bladder damage — If your bladder is stretched too far or for extended periods, the muscles may become permanently damaged and lose their ability to properly contract. Kidney damage — Sometime urinary retention can cause urine to flow back into the kidneys. This is called reflux and can damage or scar the kidneys.
Pineapple juice: 100% pure pineapple juice has similar qualities to coconut water and can be a great alternative. Carrot juice: When consumed regularly, carrot juice can help control urinary retention. Besides being healthy for you, it can also help relieve the burning sensation felt each time you empty your bladder.
What is the best home remedy for urinary retention? ›
Simple exercises such as walking or doing jumping jacks can help a person urinate. Before heading to the bathroom, a person may wish to do a few laps of the house or office to stimulate urination. Rubbing the lower stomach or inner thighs or pulling on pubic hair while on the toilet can help induce the need to pee.
What are common problems after catheter removal? ›
Possible symptoms after removal of a catheter:
- Burning. Your child may complain of a slight feeling of burning when he or she urinates after the catheter is removed. ...
- Urination. You may see a slight amount of pink-colored urine the first time your child urinates after the catheter is removed. ...
- Swelling. ...
- Discomfort.
Increase the time between toilet visits by 15 minutes each week, to a maximum of 4 hours. Standing very still or if possible sitting on a hard chair. Distracting yourself, eg, counting backwards from 100. Squeezing with your pelvic floor muscles.
How long should a catheter be left in after urinary retention? ›
An initial episode of acute urinary retention should be treated with an indwelling catheter to allow the bladder to regain its tone, with catheter removal and a voiding trial after 10 to 14 days.
How long can urine retention last? ›
Chronic urinary retention
This form of the condition develops gradually over months or years and lasts for a long time. The symptoms of chronic urinary retention include: difficulty urinating, which may be constant or sporadic. needing to urinate again shortly after using the bathroom.
How long does it take for the bladder to return to normal after catheter removal? ›
For 2 days after your catheter is removed, your bladder and urethra will be weak. Do not push or put effort into urinating. Let your urine pass on its own. Do not strain to have a bowel movement (poop).
