Bladder Outlet Obstruction
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
In some men, the bladder outlet is obstructed by an enlarged prostate caused by prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Symptoms, which begin slowly and progressively get worse, may include:
trouble starting the urinary stream
a weak urinary stream
frequent urination during the day
getting up at night to urinate, a condition called nocturia
urinary urgency, or feeling the need to urinate right away
urinary incontinence, or leakage of urine
The bladder outlet may also be obstructed by:
urethral stricture, or narrowing of the urethra
cancer of the urethra
meatal stenosis, or narrowing at the point that the urethra reaches the outside of the body
In these cases, symptoms have a slower onset. The force of the urinary stream slowly weakens, and there may be blood in the urine.
Bladder stones, which often form if the bladder outlet is obstructed, can worsen the condition. This usually causes a sudden, very painful blockage of urine.
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