Common Symptoms of Urinary Retention You Should Know

At The OB-GYN & Incontinence Center, we frequently help women manage bladder health concerns, including urinary retention. Urinary retention is a condition where you are unable to fully empty your bladder.

Common symptoms of urinary retention include:

● Difficulty starting urination or a weak urine stream
● Incomplete bladder emptying, even after urination
● Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia)
● Urgency to urinate, but being unable to do so
● Feeling of pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen
● Pain or discomfort in the bladder or pelvic area
● Swelling in the lower abdomen due to bladder distension
● Inability to fully empty the bladder, leading to overflow leakage in severe cases

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. At OB-Gyn & Incontinence Center, Dr. Prema Kothandaraman and our expert team are dedicated to providing personalized care to address urinary retention and its symptoms.

Urinary retention can cause pain, particularly when the bladder becomes overly full or when the body is unable to empty the bladder. The discomfort can range from a mild feeling of pressure or discomfort in the lower abdomen to more intense pain as the bladder fills. The pain is usually caused by the increased pressure in the bladder due to the retention of urine, which can strain the bladder walls and surrounding muscles. In severe cases, the pressure can be so intense that it leads to acute discomfort and a painful urge to urinate without being able to do so.

Chronic urinary retention can also lead to a dull, constant pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvis. This is often accompanied by the sensation of not fully emptying the bladder even after urination, which can lead to a continuous feeling of fullness or heaviness in the pelvic area. Additionally, if urinary retention is left untreated, it can increase the risk of developing other complications, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can cause pain or burning during urination.

At The OB-GYN & Incontinence Center, Dr. Prema Kothandaraman and our team specialize in diagnosing and treating urinary retention and its associated symptoms, including pain. We offer personalized care to manage your symptoms effectively and prevent further complications.

Urinary retention is not always noticeable, especially in its early stages. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms, such as a weak urine stream or difficulty starting urination, which might be easy to overlook or attribute to other factors like stress or aging. In these cases, the condition may develop gradually, and people may not immediately recognize that they are not fully emptying their bladder. Over time, the symptoms may worsen, leading to more obvious signs of urinary retention, such as the frequent need to urinate or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.

In some instances, urinary retention can occur without any noticeable symptoms at all, especially when the retention is partial. This means that a person may not feel discomfort or urgency but may still have urine left in the bladder after urination. As a result, the condition may go undiagnosed until it causes more significant issues, like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder dysfunction.

At The OB-GYN & Incontinence Center, Dr. Prema Kothandaraman and our dedicated team are committed to helping you identify and address urinary retention, even if the symptoms are mild or not immediately noticeable. We offer comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans to ensure that any underlying issues are diagnosed and managed before they lead to further complications.

Urinary retention can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs). When urine is retained in the bladder, it creates an environment where bacteria can grow and multiply, as the bladder isn’t being fully emptied. This stagnant urine can lead to the development of infections in the urinary tract, as the body’s natural ability to flush out bacteria is compromised. The longer urine stays in the bladder, the higher the risk of infection, making early intervention important to prevent complications like UTIs.

Additionally, the increased pressure in the bladder caused by urinary retention can lead to the weakening of the bladder walls and bladder muscle dysfunction. This can make it even harder for the bladder to fully empty, contributing to the cycle of retention and infection. In some cases, frequent UTIs can be a sign of chronic urinary retention that hasn’t been properly managed or diagnosed.

At The OB-GYN & Incontinence Center, Dr. Kothandaraman and our team specialize in diagnosing and treating urinary retention and its associated complications, such as UTIs. We provide personalized care to help manage your urinary health and reduce the risk of infections.

At The OB-GYN & Incontinence Center, Dr. Prema Kothandaraman and our compassionate team provide personalized care to help manage urinary retention symptoms by first conducting a thorough evaluation of your condition. We take the time to understand your symptoms in detail, including the frequency, severity, and any potential underlying causes, such as pelvic floor dysfunction or hormonal imbalances. Based on this information, Dr. Kothandaraman creates a customized treatment plan that may include lifestyle modifications, pelvic floor exercises, or medications tailored to your specific needs.

Our clinic specializes in addressing women’s unique urinary and pelvic health concerns, using advanced diagnostic tools to monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed. Dr. Kothandaraman works closely with each patient, offering ongoing support and adjustments to ensure that symptoms are effectively managed and the overall quality of life is improved. Whether your condition requires non-invasive therapies or more advanced interventions, The OB-GYN & Incontinence Center is dedicated to providing the highest level of care to help you regain optimal urinary health.

For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 622 W Duarte Rd Ste 305 Arcadia, CA 91007. We serve patients from Arcadia CA, Glendale CA, Monrovia CA, Pasadena CA, Los Angeles CA, Burbank CA, and surrounding areas.