Difficulty urinating: most common causes in men
Difficulty urinating is one of the most common reasons for urological consultation among men, especially after the age of 45. In most cases, it has a benign and treatable cause. Identifying it early is key to avoiding complications.
What does it mean to have difficulty urinating?
As Dr. Montlleó explains, difficulty urinating appears when the patient feels like emptying the bladder but the urine does not come out normally or the flow is very weak.
This symptom can appear gradually and, often, the man gets used to it until it begins to affect his quality of life. Recognizing it in time is essential.
Symptoms of urination problems
As indicated by Dr. Montlleó, you should consult a urologist when symptoms such as urinating with a very weak flow, the need to urinate very often, difficulty starting to urinate or a feeling of not having completely emptied the bladder appear:
Other signs to consider:
- Weak or interrupted stream during urination
- Need to strain to initiate urination
- Dribbling after urination
- Getting up several times at night to urinate (nocturia)
Most common causes
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
It is the main cause in men over the age of 50. The prostate increases in size with age and compresses the urethra, making it difficult for urine to pass through. It is a benign process and has effective treatment.
Prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate can occur at any age. The acute form causes fever and pain; the chronic form causes persistent discomfort. Both types affect urination.
Urinary tract infection
Less common in men, but when it appears it can indicate an underlying problem. It causes burning, urgency and sometimes fever. If it recurs, it requires investigation.
Urethral stenosis
A scar or narrowing in the urethra can significantly reduce urine flow. It is usually the result of trauma, a previous infection, or surgery.
Medication and habits
Some drugs (antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants) and alcohol or caffeine consumption can worsen urinary flow.
When should you go to the urologist?
- Complete inability to urinate
- High fever accompanied by pelvic or perineal pain
- Visible blood in the urine
- Symptoms lasting more than two weeks
- Progressive worsening of urinary flow
- Need to get up every night to urinate
The sooner the diagnosis is made, the better the treatment results. At UROCAT we offer you a specialized and personalized assessment.
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