Symptoms of urinary urgency

Urgency can happen when the bladder contracts before it is full, or when the bladder or urethra is irritated. A urinary tract infection may bring burning, cloudy or strong-smelling urine and lower abdominal discomfort. Prostatitis can cause urinary symptoms with pelvic pain or fever. Benign prostatic hyperplasia may narrow the urine outlet and add a weak stream, hesitancy or incomplete emptying. These patterns overlap, so the combination and timing matter.

Note when urgency occurs, how often you pass urine, leakage, pain, fever, fluid intake and whether the stream is weak. Arrange assessment if symptoms are new, persistent or interfering with sleep or work. Drink normally rather than severely restricting fluids, and reduce bladder irritants such as caffeinated drinks if they clearly worsen symptoms. Do not use leftover antibiotics; a urine test may be needed to choose treatment.

Seek urgent care for inability to pass urine, severe lower abdominal pain, fever with pain in the back or side, vomiting, visible blood in urine, or confusion. Prompt assessment is also needed if urgency follows a new sexual exposure with discharge or genital pain. Sudden loss of bladder control with leg weakness or numbness is an emergency.

Ask whether you need a urine test, examination of the prostate, bladder diary or further testing. Mention the strength of your stream, dribbling, pain, fever and medicines. Ask which changes indicate infection, retention or another cause requiring same-day care.