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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: hesitancy; delayed urination; difficulty initiating urination; weak urine stream
Overview
Overview
Urinary hesitancy is defined as difficulty in initiating and maintaining a flow of urine.
Causes
Causes
Common Causes
Causes by Organ System
| Cardiovascular
|
No underlying causes
|
| Chemical / poisoning
|
No underlying causes
|
| Dermatologic
|
No underlying causes
|
| Drug Side Effect
|
Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Anticholinergics, Hyoscyamine, Nasal decongestants, Norpramin, Orphenadrine, Pamelor, Repaglinide, Sinequan, Surmontil, Tofranil, Tricyclic antidepressants, Vivactil
|
| Ear Nose Throat
|
No underlying causes
|
| Endocrine
|
Diabetes mellitus
|
| Environmental
|
No underlying causes
|
| Gastroenterologic
|
No underlying causes
|
| Genetic
|
No underlying causes
|
| Hematologic
|
Blood clot in the urethra
|
| Iatrogenic
|
Recovery from general anesthesia
|
| Infectious Disease
|
Herpes genitalis, Herpes zoster, Tabes dorsalis, Urinary tract infection, Prostatitis
|
| Musculoskeletal / Ortho
|
Secondary tumor deposits in vertebra
|
| Neurologic
|
Multiple sclerosis, Pudendal nerve entrapment, Spinal cord lesions, Syringomyelia, Transverse myelitis, Tabes dorsalis, Tumor of the spinal meninges, Tumor of the spinal cord
|
| Nutritional / Metabolic
|
No underlying causes
|
| Obstetric/Gynecologic
|
Retroverted pregnancy, Uterine fibroids, Vaginal carcinoma
|
| Oncologic
|
Secondary tumor deposits in vertebra, Tumor of the spinal meninges, Urethral carcinoma, Vaginal carcinoma , Prostatic cancer
|
| Opthalmologic
|
No underlying causes
|
| Overdose / Toxicity
|
Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Anticholinergics, Nasal decongestants, Norpramin, Pamelor, Sinequan, Surmontil, Tofranil, Tricyclic antidepressants, Vivactil
|
| Psychiatric
|
Bashful bladder syndrome, Shy bladder syndrome
|
| Pulmonary
|
No underlying causes
|
| Renal / Electrolyte
|
No underlying causes
|
| Rheum / Immune / Allergy
|
Multiple sclerosis, Transverse myelitis
|
| Sexual
|
No underlying causes
|
| Trauma
|
No underlying causes
|
| Urologic
|
Bashful bladder syndrome, Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Benign prostatic hypertrophy, Bladder diverticulum, Blood clot in the urethra, Meatal stenosis, Poor bladder contractility, Posterior strictures in males, Primary bladder neck dysfunction, Prostatic cancer, Prostatitis, Shy bladder syndrome, Tight phimosis, Tumor of the spinal cord, Urethral stricture, Urinary tract obstruction, Urinary tract infection, Urethral carcinoma, Reflux nephropathy
|
| Dental
|
No underlying causes
|
| Miscellaneous
|
No underlying causes
|
Causes in Alphabetical Order
Epidemiology and Demographics
Epidemiology and Demographics
Urinary hesitancy is observed in both genders at all ages. It tends to affect elderly males more frequently.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Laboratory Studies
The following diagnostic studies may be of use:
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment for urinary hesitancy depends on the cause. Often, medications such as alpha-blockers can relieve the symptoms. If you have a bacterial infection, your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics. You may need surgery to relieve a prostate obstruction (see TURP).
References
References
