What if androgen deprivation therapy does not relieve difficulty passing urine?

Androgen deprivation therapy reduces signals that support prostate cancer growth, but urinary difficulty can also result from prostate enlargement, narrowing of the urethra, infection, constipation, bladder changes, medicines, or a clot. Relief may therefore require a separate evaluation rather than a change to hormone treatment alone.

Tell your oncology or urology team when the problem began, whether the stream is weak, and whether you have pain, urgency, fever, blood in the urine, or a feeling that the bladder does not empty. Do not stop androgen deprivation therapy without advice. The team may check your urine, bladder emptying, medicines, and prostate, then discuss treatments suited to the cause.

Seek urgent care if you cannot pass urine, have severe lower-abdominal pain or swelling, fever with chills, confusion, vomiting, or heavy blood or clots in the urine. Complete inability to urinate can require immediate bladder drainage.

Ask what may be causing the obstruction, whether your bladder is retaining urine, which tests are needed, how medicines may affect flow, and which treatments can relieve the symptom while cancer care continues.