Thank you for your patience and we apologize for the inconvenience.
Our hold times may be longer than usual as our team is currently undergoing a transition and training to serve you better.
For faster service, we encourage you to use our patient portal to message your care team, request appointments, or access health information anytime.
Thank you for your patience and we apologize for the inconvenience.
Our hold times may be longer than usual as our team is currently undergoing a transition and training to serve you better.
For faster service, we encourage you to use our patient portal to message your care team, request appointments, or access health information anytime.
  • UPNT clinics will open at a delayed time at 10 AM on 11/11-23 Secondary to the ice storm. we will continue to update on the website as conditions may change.
  • UPNT clinics will open at a delayed time at 10 AM on 11/11-23 Secondary to the ice storm. we will continue to update on the website as conditions may change.
  • UPNT clinics will open at a delayed time at 10 AM on 11/11-23 Secondary to the ice storm. we will continue to update on the website as conditions may change.
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  • UPNT clinics will open at a delayed time at 10 AM on 11/11-23 Secondary to the ice storm. we will continue to update on the website as conditions may change.
  • UPNT clinics will open at a delayed time at 10 AM on 11/11-23 Secondary to the ice storm. we will continue to update on the website as conditions may change.
  • UPNT clinics will open at a delayed time at 10 AM on 11/11-23 Secondary to the ice storm. we will continue to update on the website as conditions may change.
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Urinary Retention in Men: Understanding & Expert Care in Dallas-Fort Worth

Finding Relief from Bladder Emptying Challenges at Urology Partners of North Texas (UPNT)

Experiencing difficulty emptying your bladder, or even a complete inability to urinate, can be an alarming and intensely uncomfortable situation. This condition, known as urinary retention, primarily affects men and demands prompt medical attention. If you’re facing bladder emptying issues in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Urology Partners of North Texas (UPNT) offers expert diagnosis and comprehensive care to help you regain bladder function and comfort.

What is Urinary Retention? When the Bladder Won't Empty

Urinary retention is the inability to completely empty the bladder. This can range from difficulty starting a urine stream or feeling that your bladder is never fully empty (chronic retention) to a complete inability to urinate, even when your bladder is full (acute retention).

Acute vs. Chronic Urinary Retention:

  • Acute Urinary Retention: This is a medical emergency. It's a sudden, painful inability to urinate at all, even though your bladder is full. You will feel a strong, urgent need to urinate.
  • Chronic Urinary Retention: This develops gradually over time. You might be able to urinate, but you don't empty your bladder completely. Symptoms might be mild at first, like a weak stream or frequent urination, but can worsen. Chronic retention can damage the kidneys over time if left unaddressed.

Why Urinary Retention Primarily Affects Men:

Urinary retention, particularly the obstructive type, rarely occurs in women compared to men. This difference is largely due to anatomy:
  • The Prostate Gland: Men have a prostate gland that surrounds the urethra (the tube carrying urine out of the body). If this gland enlarges, it can directly block urine flow, a common cause of retention in men. Women do not have a prostate.
  • Urethral Length: The male urethra is significantly longer and narrower than the female urethra, making it more susceptible to blockages.
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Causes of Urinary Retention: Understanding the Blockage or Dysfunction

Urinary retention occurs when there’s either a physical blockage preventing urine from leaving the bladder (obstructive retention) or a problem with the bladder muscle or nerves that control urination (non-obstructive retention).

Common Causes of Urinary Retention in Men Include:

  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): This is the most common cause of urinary retention in older men. As the prostate gland enlarges, it presses on the urethra, obstructing urine flow.
  • Prostate Cancer: A tumor in the prostate can also grow and block the urethra, similar to BPH.
  • Urethral Stricture: A narrowing of the urethra due to scar tissue (from injury, infection, or prior procedures) can severely restrict urine flow.
  • Bladder Stones: A stone may move and get lodged at the bladder outlet, creating a blockage.
  • Nerve Damage (Neurogenic Bladder): Problems with the nerves that send messages between the brain and bladder can affect the bladder's ability to contract and empty completely. Causes include:
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Medications: Many common medications can interfere with bladder function and lead to retention, including:
  • Antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine)
  • Decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine)
  • Antidepressants (especially tricyclic antidepressants)
  • Antispasmodics
  • Opioids
  • Severe Infection: A severe urinary tract infection or prostatitis can cause swelling and inflammation, temporarily blocking urine flow.
  • Surgery: Recent surgery, especially in the pelvic area (e.g., hip or knee replacement, back surgery), can sometimes temporarily disrupt nerve signals or cause swelling that leads to retention.

Recognizing the Signs: Symptoms of Urinary Retention

Symptoms vary depending on whether the retention is acute (sudden and severe) or chronic (gradual).
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Key Symptoms You Might Experience:

1

Acute Retention (Medical Emergency):

  • Sudden, complete inability to urinate.
  • Severe pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen/pelvis.
  • Urgent, desperate need to urinate.

2

Chronic Retention:

  • Difficulty starting a urine stream.
  • Weak or interrupted urine stream.
  • Feeling that you haven't completely emptied your bladder after urinating.
  • Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia), as the bladder fills quickly due to incomplete emptying.
  • Frequent urge to urinate.
  • Urinary leakage or dribbling (overflow incontinence) due to an overly full bladder.
  • Mild lower abdominal discomfort or pressure.

Precise Diagnosis of Urinary Retention at UPNT: Your Path to Relief

Accurate diagnosis of urinary retention and its underlying cause is crucial for immediate relief and preventing long-term complications, especially kidney damage. At Urology Partners of North Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, our specialists are skilled at quickly identifying the cause of your retention to initiate effective management.

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Our Comprehensive Diagnostic Process Typically Includes:

  • Detailed Medical History & Symptom Discussion: We will thoroughly discuss your urinary symptoms, medications, and overall health history.
  • Physical Exam: A focused exam, including a digital rectal exam (DRE) for men to assess the prostate.
  • Post-Void Residual (PVR) Measurement:
  • This is a quick, non-invasive ultrasound test performed in the office.
  • It measures the amount of urine remaining in your bladder immediately after you try to empty it. A high PVR indicates incomplete emptying.
  • Urinalysis & Blood Tests: To check for infection, kidney function (creatinine, BUN), and PSA levels (for men) if prostate issues are suspected.
  • Urodynamics Testing: For Complex Cases
  • Performed expertly at UPNT, urodynamics is a sophisticated set of tests that measures bladder pressure, volume, and urine flow rates during filling and emptying.
  • It helps determine if retention is due to a physical obstruction, a weak bladder muscle, or nerve dysfunction, guiding targeted solutions.
  • Advanced Imaging Studies (In Collaboration with DFW's Leading Centers):
  • If structural issues like strictures or bladder stones are suspected, we partner with top imaging centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for precise CT scans, ultrasounds, or MRIs.
  • Cystoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure where a thin scope directly visualizes the urethra and bladder, looking for blockages, stones, or other abnormalities.

Comprehensive Management & Treatment for Urinary Retention at UPNT

The immediate priority for acute urinary retention is to relieve the bladder. Long-term management focuses on treating the underlying cause to restore normal bladder function and prevent recurrence. At Urology Partners of North Texas, our DFW experts offer a full spectrum of management and treatment strategies tailored to your specific diagnosis.
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Our Personalized Management & Treatment Approaches Include:

  • Immediate Bladder Drainage:
  • For acute retention, a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine immediately, providing rapid relief from pain and preventing kidney damage.
  • Depending on the cause, you may go home with a temporary catheter or be trained for intermittent self-catheterization.
  • Addressing the Underlying Cause: This is the cornerstone of long-term treatment.
  • Medication Adjustments: We review and adjust any medications that might be contributing to retention.
  • Treating BPH: For retention caused by an enlarged prostate, options may include:
  • Medications to relax the prostate or shrink it.
  • Minimally invasive procedures (like UroLift, Rezum), PAE (Prostate Artery Embolization)/Aquablation, or TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) to remove or reduce prostate tissue. (Details for these procedures are found on their dedicated pages.)
  • Managing Urethral Strictures: Treatment may involve dilation or surgical repair of the stricture.
  • Neurogenic Bladder Management: For nerve-related retention, strategies include timed voiding, medications, or Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC).
  • Removing Obstructions: Bladder stones causing obstruction may be removed.

Why Choose Urology Partners of North Texas for Urinary Retention Care in DFW?

Urinary retention can be painful and concerning, requiring prompt and accurate care. At Urology Partners of North Texas, we distinguish ourselves as a leading choice for individuals across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex seeking expert evaluation and management of urinary retention.

  • Rapid & Accurate Diagnosis: We prioritize swift and precise identification of the cause of your retention, often using in-office PVR and advanced urodynamics, to ensure timely relief and appropriate long-term planning.
  • Expert Management of Underlying Causes: Our specialists have deep expertise in treating the primary conditions that lead to retention in men, such as BPH, urethral strictures, and neurogenic bladder.
  • Comprehensive Treatment Spectrum: From immediate catheterization and medication adjustments to advanced BPH treatments and management for complex neurogenic causes, UPNT offers a full range of solutions tailored to your unique needs.
  • Personalized & Compassionate Care: We understand the discomfort and worry associated with urinary retention. Our team provides empathetic support, clear explanations, and a treatment path designed to restore your bladder health and comfort effectively.
  • A Trusted Name in Dallas-Fort Worth Urological Care: As a cornerstone of urological care in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, UPNT is committed to serving our community with integrity, scientific excellence, and a steadfast dedication to improving men's urinary health and overall quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Urinary Retention in Men

Here are answers to common questions our patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex often ask about urinary retention:

What is the most common cause of urinary retention in men?
The most common cause is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate. As the prostate grows, it can press on the urethra, blocking urine flow.

Urinary retention is rare in women compared to men primarily due to anatomical differences. Men have a prostate gland that can enlarge and block the urethra, and their urethra is longer and narrower, making it more prone to obstruction.

Yes, acute urinary retention is a medical emergency. It’s a sudden, painful inability to urinate and requires immediate medical attention to drain the bladder and prevent potential kidney damage.

A PVR test, performed at UPNT, uses a quick ultrasound to measure the amount of urine remaining in your bladder immediately after you try to empty it. A high PVR indicates that your bladder is not emptying completely.

Yes, several common medications can interfere with bladder function and lead to retention. These include certain antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and opioids. Always discuss all your medications with your UPNT specialist.

If chronic urinary retention is left unaddressed, it can lead to serious complications. These include recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, and significant kidney damage over time due to persistent pressure. Early diagnosis and management at UPNT are crucial.

Ready to Address Your Urinary Retention? Contact UPNT Today.

Don’t let urinary retention compromise your comfort or health. If you’re experiencing difficulty emptying your bladder in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, reach out to Urology Partners of North Texas. We’re here to accurately diagnose your condition and guide you toward personalized, effective solutions that restore your bladder function and peace of mind.

Call Our DFW Team Today to Schedule Your Appointment:
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Dr. Weber Chuang will be retiring from medical practice effective September 26, 2025. To ensure that your medical care continues seamlessly, your ongoing care will be transitioned to another physician within our practice. You may schedule appointments directly by contacting our office at 866-367-8768 or via your patient portal. Your medical records will remain securely within the practice, so there is no additional step required on your part unless you wish to request a transfer elsewhere.
Dr. Weber Chuang will be retiring from medical practice effective September 26, 2025.
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