Urinary Retention

Urinary retention refers to a condition in which a person has difficulty fully emptying the bladder. This can be acute, representing a sudden and complete inability to empty the bladder, or chronic, meaning that a person may be able to partially empty the bladder, but urine remains retained constantly. In women, urinary retention can be caused by various factors: blockage in the urethra, weakness of the bladder muscles, certain medications, or neurological conditions.

Diagnosing urinary retention involves a detailed examination and discussion of symptoms. Doctors may use various diagnostic methods such as bladder ultrasound, which can assess the amount of residual urine after attempting to urinate, and urodynamic testing, which evaluates how the bladder and urethra store and release urine.

In cases of urinary retention where urgent medical intervention is not required, pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises can be beneficial in improving bladder control and facilitating urination. Kegel exercises, which involve rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, can help strengthen these muscles and improve their function. Regularly performing these exercises contributes to complete bladder emptying.

In addition to Kegel exercises, there are other techniques that can help manage urinary retention, such as relaxation techniques and breathing exercises that can facilitate the urination process by reducing muscle tension and anxiety that may accompany this problem.

In rare cases, when other treatment methods are not effective, surgical options may be considered to remove blockages or repair structures that interfere with normal urine flow.