Difficulty urinating (weak stream or trouble starting)

What the symptom means

Passing urine needs the bladder to contract and the outlet to open freely. Symptoms can arise when the outlet is partly blocked (for example by an enlarged prostate or a narrowing) or when the bladder muscle is not contracting effectively.

Common categories of causes

In older men, an enlarged prostate is a common cause. Other contributors include urethral narrowing, some medicines, nerve conditions affecting the bladder, and, less commonly, other blockages. The cause is identified through assessment.

What a clinician may ask

Expect questions about the stream, starting and stopping, straining, incomplete emptying, urgency and frequency, pain, medicines, and other health conditions.

Tests that may be considered

Assessment may include a urinalysis, a physical examination, an ultrasound to check how well the bladder empties, and other tests depending on the situation.

Questions to ask a clinician

• What is causing the blockage or difficulty in my case?
• Is my bladder emptying properly?
• Which symptoms should make me seek urgent care?
• What are the treatment options for the underlying cause?