Urinary retention Inability to urinate

This symptom is characterized by the inability to urinate, with consequent retention of urine inside the bladder. It occurs much more frequently in men than in women.


Acute urinary retention, as the name implies, occurs relatively suddenly (in less than 24 hours).

The patient in question (usually men with benign prostatic hyperplasia) is unable to urinate for several hours despite maintaining an intense desire to do so. The condition progresses to severe pain in the bladder region, which is generally palpable (bladder globe).

In this case it is necessary to carry out urgent bladder drainage, usually by placing a catheter through the urethra or a cystocatheter, which consists of a catheter placed directly on the bladder through the abdominal wall, when it is not possible to introduce a catheter through the route habitual.


Chronic urinary retention is an insufficiency of emptying of the bladder over weeks and months; the patient may not even feel the urge to urinate or consider his urge to be normal, but expels only a small amount of the urine contained within the bladder.

Typically, in these circumstances, the bladder has a large capacity without the patient being aware and urinary incontinence due to extravasation may occur (the bladder is excessively full and insensibly leaks small amounts over time). In a more advanced stage, there may be dilation of the kidneys with associated renal failure.

This type of urinary retention occurs in both men and women and can, among other causes, be related to neurological pathologies or diabetes.


The causes for urine not being expelled properly can be an obstruction (benign prostatic hyperplasia, stenosis of the urethra, prolapse of pelvic organs) or hypoactive bladder (a bladder that does not normally contract). The distinction is made by clinical history and by complementary diagnostic tests, especially the urodynamic study that allows an accurate diagnosis and treatment directed to the underlying cause.

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2 - The published articles were produced by specialists based on the recommendations and guidelines of clinical practice of the European Association of Urology (EAU), at the date of the last review;

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