What Causes Male Urinary Urgency

What Causes Frequent Urination

What is urinary incontinence? Causes, symptoms and treatment explained

There are actually many different conditions that could cause frequent urination. Many of these causes are based on your age, gender or possibly even both. You could experience frequent urination a few times throughout your life for different reasons. These conditions can range from minorand easily manageableto more serious issues.

Urinary tract and bladder conditions It may seem obvious, but issues with your urinary tract and bladder are some of the most common conditions to cause frequent urination. Urinary tract infections , in particular, are the most common cause of frequent urination. During a UTI, an outside infection enters the body and causes inflammation in your urinary system. This system is made up of the kidneys, ureters , bladder and urethra . Other conditions in this system that can cause frequent urination to include interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder syndrome. In very rare cases, frequent urination can be a symptom of bladder cancer.

Prostate problems In men, the prostate is a golf-ball-sized gland that makes some of the liquid that comes out during ejaculation. Your prostate grows as you do, but it can cause issues if it gets too large. A large prostate can place pressure on your urinary system and cause frequent urination. Conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia prostate enlargement, are all fairly common and treatable by your doctor. Other conditions that could cause frequent urination can include:

How Effective Is Treatment For Urinary Urgency And Frequent Urination

Overall, more than 95% of the time, our experienced Urologists at New York Urology Specialists are able to determine the cause and successfully treat urinary urgency symptoms in men.

Medications to stop frequent and constant urge to urinate are effective in 70-80% of men with an enlarged prostate. The efficacy of medications depends on how long the symptoms have been present, which is usually related to the severity of the problem.

If medications do not help, procedures can usually help most of the patients with symptoms of the constant urge to urinate.

For men with enlarged prostate causing constant urination during the day and at night, the Rezum procedure and Urolift for BPH procedure can help. Prostate laser surgery is usually very effective in treating both urinary urgency and frequent urination symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. Most commonly performed prostate laser surgery procedures include such effective treatments as Greenlight laser, Holmium Laser, ProTouch laser enucleation, and HoLAP.

While other procedures for enlarged prostate have been done, they are currently still being studies. These include Aquablation for BPH which has efficacy similar to bipolar TURP. I-Tind procedure for an enlarged prostate has been shown to have efficacy similar to Urolift and Rezum procedures. Newer methods of prostatic artery embolization appear to be effective for some men with an enlarged prostate.

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According to the Urology Care Foundation, women are at greater risk for UI than men because they have a shorter urethra than men. As a result, any weakness or damage to the urethra in a woman is more likely to cause urinary incontinence. This is because there is less muscle keeping the urine in your bladder until you are ready to urinate.

Recommended Reading: Reasons For Urinary Tract Infection In Females

Common Causes Of Urinary Incontinence In Men

Urinary incontinence in meninvoluntary leakage of urine is not an uncommon problem. As estimated 3.4 million men in the United States currently experience UI, making life difficult both physically and emotionally. While often related to prostate problems, urinary incontinence has a variety of causes and can also be brought on by medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinsons disease, and by pelvic surgical procedures including prostatectomy.

However, like many conditions that were once thought to be an inevitable fact of aging, UI in men is often due to underlying conditions that are treatable. Urologists are experts in the evaluation and treatment of UI with an array of evolving and cutting-edge techniques.

Treatment is an important consideration for any man affected. The healthcare community has lately begun to take a closer look at inequities in medical treatment, and although there is limited data on urinary incontinence in those of different races, in one study African-American men had the highest prevalence of incontinence. Hispanic men are also widely impacted. The study concluded that ethnicity appears to be a contributing risk factor for UI.

Problems With Enlarged Prostate Gland

Benign enlargement of the prostate gland is more common as men get older. It can cause troublesome symptoms, although it doesnt always.

The urethra passes through the prostate gland, so men may have problems urinating if the enlarged gland restricts the flow of urine. If the flow stops completely, a catheter is required to empty the bladder. It is rare for this form of acute urinary retention to cause kidney damage.

An enlarged prostate doesnât always cause urinary problems. Studies indicate that the size of a manâs prostate gland has little influence on the type or severity of his urination problems. BPH is just one possible cause of urinary symptoms.

Another cause of urinary symptoms can be changes to the muscular wall of the bladder, which may cause spasms of the bladder or weaken the bladder, causing problems passing urine.

Living With Bph: A Toolbox For Managing Urinary Symptoms

BPH progresses slowly, so most men can decide for themselves if and when they would like to consider medication or surgery. Men with mild to moderate symptoms often find that the changes in fluid intake, medication use, and bladder habits listed below can noticeably relieve BPH’s bothersome effects.

MEDICATION USE: Alter use of medications that could worsen urinary symptoms.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about prescription or over-the-counter medications that may be contributing to your BPH symptoms. Antihistamines and decongestants can cause problems for some.
If you use medications that could make you urinate more, don’t take them right before driving, traveling, attending an event, or going to bed.

Don’t rely on ineffective dietary supplements. Saw palmetto and other herbal supplements have failed rigorous scientific testing so far.

FLUID RESTRICTION: Change how much fluid you drink and when to prevent bothersome bathroom visits.

Don’t drink liquids before driving, traveling, or attending events where finding a bathroom quickly could be difficult.

Avoid drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages after dinner or within two hours of your bedtime.

What Are Urge Incontinence Treatments

If pelvic floor exercises and other techniques dont help, your healthcare provider may recommend one of these treatments:

Medications or bladder botulin toxin injections to relax your bladder muscle so it can hold more urine.
Nerve stimulation using a device that sends electrical pulses to your nerves. These impulses act as a bladder pacemaker to relax and regulate overactive bladder squeezes. Your healthcare provider may recommend a surgical procedure to place a sacral nerve stimulation device. Or you may have an in-office procedure for percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation .
to enlarge your bladder using tissue taken from your intestine.
Urinary diversion surgery to redirect your ureters to a urine drainage bag outside of your body instead of into your bladder.

What Is The Difference Between Urge Incontinence And Stress Incontinence

Urge incontinence and stress incontinence have different causes and symptoms.

Stress incontinence is due to abdominal pressure on your bladder. It causes you to leak small amounts of urine.
Urge incontinence results from an overactive bladder. It causes you to leak a lot of urine.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Leaking urine for any reason isnt an unavoidable part of aging, so dont be embarrassed to talk to your healthcare provider. Treatments can help. You can learn pelvic floor exercises and use biofeedback to improve urge incontinence symptoms. If needed, you can try medications or nerve stimulation, too. With proper therapies, you can treat urge incontinence, regain control of your bladder and enjoy life more.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/05/2021.

References

Symptoms Of Urinary Urgency And Frequency

Urgency Urinary Incontinence

Urinary problems such as pain, urgency and frequency are common, and these symptoms typically affect both men and women. It is often labeled as dysuria, which is the medical term for painful or difficult urination. Urinary pain or burning is often related to kidney problems or infections, which can potentially lead to pelvic floor issues. Our patients are more often experiencing a feeling of urgency, frequency, inability to go or completely empty the bladder. These control, or lack of, symptoms are more closely related to the musculature of the pelvic floor versus localized pain or burning.

Urinary urgency and frequency along with other kinds of pelvic pain and discomfort can have many causes. But they can also be related to a single cause: a condition called nonrelaxing pelvic floor disorder, which is not widely recognized but starting to have further medical research and identification.

Many standard medical treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction focus on treating symptoms in isolation with medications, lifestyle changes and even surgery. But ultrasound guided trigger point injections, an innovative technique offered at Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine, target the source of pelvic pain and discomfort, not just the symptoms.

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Diagnosing The Cause Of Frequent Urination

If urinary frequency interferes with your lifestyle or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, back or side pain, vomiting, chills, increased appetite or thirst, fatigue, bloody or cloudy urine, or a discharge from the penis or vagina, it’s important to see your doctor.

To diagnose the cause of frequent urination, your doctor will perform a physical exam and take a medical history, asking questions such as the following:

Are you taking any medications?
Are you experiencing other symptoms?
Do you have the problem only during the day or also at night?
Are you drinking more than usual?
Is your urine darker or lighter than usual?
Do you drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages?

Depending on the findings of the physical exam and medical history, your doctor may order tests, including:

Blood Tests. Routine blood test can check for kidney function, electrolytes, and blood sugars

Urinalysis. The microscopic examination of urine that also involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine.

Cystometry. A test that measures the pressure inside of the bladder to see how well the bladder is working cystometry is done to determine if a muscle or nerve problem may be causing problems with how well the bladder holds or releases urine. Thereâs a broader term called urodynamics that includes tests such as cystometry, uroflowmetry, urethral pressure and others.

What Are The Causes Of Constant Urge To Urinate

A constant urgency to pee may be caused by a full bladder, a bladder that does not empty completely, bladder irritation or inflammation or abnormal bladder sensation.

Incomplete bladder emptying and overactive bladder are 2 of the most common causes of urinary urgency in men and women. Overactive bladder is caused by an abnormal sensation in the bladder.

Pressure on, or a compression of the bladder, such as what can occur during pregnancy, from large fibroids in women, or with severe constipation can cause a constant urge to urinate.

Irritation of the bladder can be caused by infection with UTIor sexually transmitted diseases. Inflammation and irritation of the bladder can be also caused by bladder stones, kidney stones passing into the bladder, and bladder cancer.

Erosion of surgical mesh that is used to repair pelvic floor prolapse or urinary incontinence can also cause a constant urge to urinate. Irritation and inflammation of the bladder may also cause invisible or visible red blood cells in urine.

In men, enlargement of the prostate or prostate swelling from infection can also cause urinary symptoms including frequent urination and sensation of needing to pee all the time.

The abnormally small bladder can also lead to a frequent feeling of a need to urinate as the bladder can fill up fast if it is small. Some patients take certain medications that may predispose them to urinary urgency and frequent urination.

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Effective Treatment For Frequent Urge To Urinate In New York City

Effective treatment for urinary urgency is available for men and women at New York Urology Specialists. Our experienced doctors have many years of experience improving quality of life in patients with urinary problems including urinary urgency and urge incontinence. Treatment choices vary depending on the underlying problem that provoked urinary urgency in an individual patient.

Clinical Evaluation Of Men With Urinary Incontinence

UTI in Men: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

History and physical examination

A detailed history and physical examination are key to the management of male patients with urinary incontinence. Medical history is often sufficient to identify the predominant problem, the type of incontinence and the impact of this condition on the physical and psychological wellbeing of an individual. The presence of other lower urinary tract symptoms, such as voiding difficulties and terminal dribbling, can help the differential diagnosis. The amount of leakage, number of pads used and coping strategies the patient may have developed will all help to determine how bothersome the leakage is for the patient. Additionally, a detailed surgical and drug history should be noted. Patients should also be asked about the presence of any concomitant faecal incontinence.

A focused physical examination is the next step, with examination of the abdomen, pelvis and external genitalia followed by a digital rectal examination and palpation of the bladder after voiding to rule out any residual urine. Demonstration of stress urinary incontinence can also be performed by asking the patient to cough or strain. A brief neurological examination is also necessary to rule out any underlying problems of the nervous system.

Initial assessment

Recommended Reading: Prostate Cancer And Urinary Tract Infection

What Is Urinary Urgency And Frequency

Urinary urgency and frequency is a condition that increases how strongly or how often you need to urinate. The condition may also be called urgency-frequency syndrome. Urinary urgency means you feel such a strong need to urinate that you have trouble waiting. You may also feel discomfort in your bladder. Urinary frequency means you need to urinate many times during the day. This may also be called increased daytime frequency. You may be woken from sleep by the need to urinate. Urgency and frequency often happen together, but you may only have one.

Key Points About Bladder Control Problems In Men

Although bladder control problems are common, it is important to seek help so you can get help for your symptoms and your doctor can rule out any serious conditions.
Bladder control problems can be due to a number of reasons such as prostate cancer or prostate enlargement.
Symptoms are often accepted as part of the natural aging process but its important to know there are treatments out there that can help.

Image credit: Canva

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How Is Urinary Urgency And Frequency Treated

Treatment will depend on the type and cause of your urination problems. You may need any of the following:

Medicines may be given to relax your bladder and decrease urination. You may also need antibiotics if your symptoms are caused by a bacterial infection.
Sacral nerve stimulation sends electrical signals to your sacral nerve through a small device implanted under your skin. Your sacral nerve controls your bladder, sphincter, and pelvic floor muscles.
Botox injections into your bladder may help relax your bladder muscle to decrease urgency and frequency.
Surgery may be done if all other treatments cannot help you control your bladder.

When Should I Reach Out To My Doctor About Frequent Urination

Urinary Incontinence in Men, Animation

Because the conditions behind frequent urination can range wildly from casual to severe, you should speak to your doctor about anything outside of your typical urination patterns. In some cases, frequent urination may be just an annoying symptom that will end when you cut back on the caffeineor have the baby. However, if you are unsure why youre urinating so frequently, it is best to set up an appointment and talk about it. This is a symptom that can often be treated and isnt something that you need to just deal with.

There are a few signs to keep an eye out for and call your doctor immediately if you have them with frequent urination. These include:

If you have a fever.
If you are vomiting.
If you have back pain .
If you see blood in your urine.
If you have a discharge coming out of your vagina or penis.

Recommended Reading: Kidney Disease And Urinary Tract Infections

Impact Of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence has a significant impact on the patient, family members and healthcare system. In men it has been less thoroughly investigated than incontinence in women, due to the assumption that male incontinence is less of a problem socioeconomically and epidemiologically. However, urinary incontinence has a significant psychosocial impact in men, reducing their quality of life with abstinence from daily activities and higher rates of depression.

Every year around 100 million adult men are affected by incontinence worldwide. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in men increases with age, although prevalence rates are nearly half those of women in the same age group. However, men are also more reluctant to seek help for their incontinence problem compared with women. For example, in a population-based study conducted in the USA, 22% of men in the community who experience an episode of incontinence per week sought care, compared with 45% of women.

Treatments To Improve Bladder Control

As a general rule, the simplest and safest treatments should be considered first. Lifestyle changes and alterations to daily habits are the best place to start. For example, limiting fluids at certain times of the day, like in the hours before bed, and planning regular trips to the bathroom can help an elderly man avoid accidents. Losing weight, avoiding foods and drinks that irritate the bladder, and exercising regularly can also minimize symptoms of OAB and UI.

Encourage your loved one to talk to their doctor about their bladder control issues theres no need to be embarrassed. Their physician may be able to prescribe medicine to calm abnormal nerve signals to the bladder. Other medicines can be used to relax the bladder or shrink the prostate to improve urine flow. Surgery is a treatment option that is often considered as a last resort, but surgical procedures can help correct bladder control problems caused by nerve damage or irregularities of the urinary tract.

There are several ways to train the bladder using techniques like timed voiding and pelvic floor exercises. Ask your doctor about bladder control techniques that can help. Bladder training usually takes time to improve symptoms, so it is wise to use incontinence products throughout this process to prevent accidents.

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