Why does benign prostatic hyperplasia cause difficulty passing urine?

The prostate sits around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. With benign prostatic hyperplasia, non-cancerous growth of prostate tissue can narrow that tube. The stream may take time to start, become weaker, stop and start, or leave a feeling that urine remains in the bladder.

Difficulty Passing Urine is a very common presentation of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. It can also occur for other reasons, including a urinary infection, medicines that affect bladder emptying, or a narrowing elsewhere in the urinary tract.

Arrange a medical assessment if the change is persistent or bothersome. The clinician may review your symptoms and medicines, examine the abdomen and prostate when appropriate, and check for causes that need different treatment. Keep a brief note of when symptoms occur, fluid intake, and whether you wake to pass urine.

Avoid delaying a toilet visit, and discuss decongestants, antihistamines, or other new medicines with a clinician or pharmacist because some can make emptying harder for some people.

Seek urgent medical care if you cannot pass urine, develop severe lower-abdominal pain or swelling, have fever with urinary symptoms, notice visible blood in urine, or feel suddenly unwell. These features need prompt assessment regardless of the cause.

Ask what may be causing the obstruction, whether the bladder is emptying adequately, which tests are useful in your situation, and which lifestyle changes, medicines, or procedures could help. Mention any leakage, pain, repeated infections, or changes in sexual function.