Urinary Retention in Women

If you get the urge of urinating, but when you actually do it, you find it difficult to pass urination while you're trying hard to release the pressure off your bladder... then it is the problem of urinary retention that you are suffering from! When a person suffers from urinary retention, then it means that a person feels the need of frequent urination, but is unable to pass urine completely till the bladder is empty. The condition could be either temporary or chronic. Why does urinary retention take place in the body and what can be done to cure it, is what this article will discuss as it proceeds.

Causes of Urinary Retention in Women

As mentioned earlier, the severity of urinary retention varies depending upon the causes behind it. The urine is stored in a bladder which is a balloon like organ of the body situated in the lower belly. It travels from the kidneys to the bladder through the tubes from each kidney which are called ureters and releases from the bladder through a narrow tube called urethra. Each time when 200 ml - 300 ml of urine is stored in the bladder, a signal is sent to the brain, which in turn sends a signal to the bladder wall to start contractions. Then at the same time a signal is sent to the internal sphincter muscle, which is the muscle that we squeeze when we try to control urination. Now that you know how the urinary system works, it will be easier for you to understand the causes.

Infection in the Urinary Tract
One of the main causes of urinary retention is the Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), which is a more common phenomena in women as compared to men. If you are suffering from urinary tract infection, then you will also experience a burning sensation during urinating along with insufficient amount of urine.

Obstruction from Bladder Stones
Another reason of urinary retention is the obstruction of bladder stones in the opening of the urethra. Because of this obstruction, you would feel the urge of urinating but will have a hard time passing urine. If this is the cause behind your problem, then you will experience pain during urination along with abdominal pain. Sometimes you might also see blood in urine.

Vaginal Prolapse
This is when the anterior wall of the vagina starts prolapsing which makes the bladder slide from its normal position. This blocks the urethra and can make the passage of urination painful.

Reaction of Certain Medications
Consumption of certain medications like anti depressants, antihistamines or medications related to muscle spasms, etc., may also be the cause of a person suffering from urinary retention. Apart from this, if you have had a surgery along with anesthesia, then this might also lead to the acute form of this condition.

Dysfunctional Voiding
The condition when the muscles around the urethra are unable to relax sufficiently, making it easy to pass the urine freely from the bladder, then this condition is known as dysfunctional voiding! You must check with your health care specialist as soon as possible to cure this condition which can be dome either by physical therapy or medications!

Hypnotic Bladder
A hypnotic bladder can be referred to as a bladder infection wherein, muscles of the bladder are unable to contract properly enough to be able to empty the bladder completely. The muscles need to be squeezed properly in order to release the stored urine, which doesn't happen in the case of hypnotic or neurogenic bladder.

Treatment Options for Urinary Retention in Women

As soon as you identify that these causes are similar to what you are experiencing, it is advisable to get in touch immediately with your health care specialist without any further delay! The treatment can be both surgical and non surgical, depending upon the cause. While your doctor may suggest medication depending upon the condition, he may also advice some physical therapy which are discussed as under.

Pelvic Floor Therapy
For this therapy a specialized physical therapist would use various techniques like biofeedback, functional electrical stimulation, manual therapy, bladder training, behavioral training, and gentle manipulation of the joints and tissues which can help the nerves of the bladder work more properly.

Catheterization
Clean intermittent self catheterization is usually done by the patient itself. In this treatment, a small tube is inserted to the urethra of a woman into the bladder. This is done a few seconds after urination which helps to drain the remaining urine from the bladder completely. However, many a time, in case of acute urinary retention, the doctors insert a catheter to empty the bladder. This is usually done after a surgery. However, if the condition is chronic, then self catheterization is the best option.

Surgery
There are a few surgical options that are used to treat urinary retention. One of which is the InterStim therapy which is approved by the FDA, in which a small device is implanted under the skin of any one of the upper buttocks. This helps in nerve stimulation which in turn helps the bladder function normally. Another surgical procedure which helps cure this condition is Urethrolysis. This is usually done with women who are suffering from urinary retention because of a previous condition of involuntary urination. This surgery is done to release the sutures from the previous surgery.

Vaginal Pessary
Another non surgical way to enable complete urination from the bladder is by inserting a device known as vaginal pessary in the vagina. This helps in supporting the vaginal wall which enables the bladder to push back into its normal position which makes it possible for the bladder to be emptied completely. There are many sizes available for the same.

So, now that you are aware of the causes and treatment of urinary retention in women, it would be easy for you to identify the condition that you are suffering from. Therefore, do not forget to get in touch with your health care specialist as soon as possible to start an effective treatment as soon as possible. Take care.