I have trouble urinating

Should we be worried?

Sometimes, despite the urge to urinate, the contraction of the bladder is not enough to evacuate the urine at a normal rate. Difficulties often felt at the beginning of urination and which can be accompanied by pain. An abnormally frequent urge to urinate may also occur.

In medical language, these disorders are referred to as dysuria. They are most often related to a benign prostate disease. However, it is important to consult to determine the source of the problem. If symptoms appear suddenly and abruptly, urgent medical attention should be sought.

Where did it come from?

Dysuria mainly affects men. It is most often associated with swelling of the prostate gland, which compresses the outlet channel of the urine. This swelling may be the result of a benign prostate disease, inflammation or, more rarely, a tumour. It should be noted that some neurological diseases, diabetes or multiple sclerosis can lead to bladder dysfunction.

What does the urologist do?

In case of dysuria, the urologist performs several tests to determine the origin of the problem:

• A clinical examination.
• Palpation of the prostate gland, in order to notice any swelling.
• A flowmeter, which measures the flow rate and quantity of urine.
• An ultrasound scan, to identify a possible obstacle.

Once the diagnosis has been made, the urologist can propose an appropriate treatment to clear the urinary tract. In the event of prostate swelling, he or she will recommend, among other things, phytotherapy, drug treatment and, as a last resort, surgery.