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What Causes Weak Urine Stream?
Question: What could be a likely cause of slow urine flow? My mother, profiled below, says she feels the need to void but when she does the urine just trickles out and she doesn't feel like she's completely voided. This is a departure from normal for her, but it's been occurring for several months now.
In addition to the profile below, she's ju
In addition to the profile below, she's ju
Brief Answer:
There could be many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Some causes are mechanical. the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside) is scarred down ( stenotic) and a simple dilation procedure by a urologist card gynecologist can make the stream normal again.
Sometimes the problem is medical. There are medications that cause bladder to be inhibited especially opiate narcotics for pain. If her medications have not changed recently, this is not a likely cause.
Your mother has a history of osteoporosis multiple back surgeries kyphosis stenosis and sometimes the problem can arise from nerve impingement. However it would be unlikely that this would be the only symptom. Numbness, tingling or pain would be expected, as well, if there was a spinal nerve root cause.
Finally, genital atrophy, reversible by topical estrogen (which does not carry the risks of postmenopausal systemic hormonal therapy) often contributes to urinary complaints in aging women. It is the one postmenopausal symptoms which progresses with age. Simply applying a small amount of cream to the urinary opening nightly and maybe a half of an applicator intravaginally weekly may reverse the condition in the matter of a week or two.
I recommend her undergoing an examination by a gynecologist and perhaps try topical estrogen first. It is the simplest and least invasive procedure. If this is not beneficial within a couple weeks it will be time to have a more formal urinary evaluation by a urologist or urogynecologist.
regards,
There could be many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Some causes are mechanical. the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside) is scarred down ( stenotic) and a simple dilation procedure by a urologist card gynecologist can make the stream normal again.
Sometimes the problem is medical. There are medications that cause bladder to be inhibited especially opiate narcotics for pain. If her medications have not changed recently, this is not a likely cause.
Your mother has a history of osteoporosis multiple back surgeries kyphosis stenosis and sometimes the problem can arise from nerve impingement. However it would be unlikely that this would be the only symptom. Numbness, tingling or pain would be expected, as well, if there was a spinal nerve root cause.
Finally, genital atrophy, reversible by topical estrogen (which does not carry the risks of postmenopausal systemic hormonal therapy) often contributes to urinary complaints in aging women. It is the one postmenopausal symptoms which progresses with age. Simply applying a small amount of cream to the urinary opening nightly and maybe a half of an applicator intravaginally weekly may reverse the condition in the matter of a week or two.
I recommend her undergoing an examination by a gynecologist and perhaps try topical estrogen first. It is the simplest and least invasive procedure. If this is not beneficial within a couple weeks it will be time to have a more formal urinary evaluation by a urologist or urogynecologist.
regards,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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