Problems with urination

Difficulty when urinating - called micturition disorder or micturition problem by experts - is a common phenomenon. Symptoms can range from pain and burning when urinating, frequent urge to urinate, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying to involuntary urine discharge. Depending on their specificity, they can indicate different problems. Read everything you need to know here. 

[Translate to English:] Frau kämpft mit Problemen beim Wasserlassen.

Symptoms

Problems with urination - what are they?

Problems with urination, also known as micturition problems, are varied. Examples of micturition problems are:

  • Burning or pain during urination
  • Frequent urge to urinate (during the day and/or especially at night)
  • Involuntary urine discharge or bladder weakness (urinary incontinence)
  • Interrupted and/or weak urine stream (e.g., only dribbling)
  • Feeling of incomplete emptying of bladder

In general, the various problems with urination can occur equally in men and women. However, men are more frequently affected by micturition disorders such as dribbling. Frauen hingegen leiden öfter unter einem Brennen beim Wasserlassen.This is because various factors are usually responsible for the complaints.

Sabal UNO®: remedy for the urge to urinate during the night

FEMALAC®: relieves burning sensation when urinating 

 

Causes

What are the reasons for difficulty when urinating?

Problems with urination can have various triggers. These include:

  • Prostate enlargement: benign prostate enlargement is a common cause of increased night-time urination and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. Sometimes, the urine stream gets weaker and the urine may drip a little afterwards. Prostate enlargement is a process associated with ageing. It usually affects men aged 50 and over.1 Micturition problems occur when the enlarged prostate presses on the urethra and/or the bladder.
  • Urinary tract infections such as cystitis: bacteria enter the bladder through the urethra and cause inflammation. Frequent urination and a burning sensation when urinating are typical symptoms.
  • Weakened pelvic floor muscles: the pelvic floor consists of several layers of muscle. Er schließt den Bauchraum nach unten hin ab und hält die Organe im Beckenbereich (wie die Harnblase). One of the functions of the pelvic floor is to support the urethral sphincter. If it is weakened due to lack of exercise or increasing age, this can result in urinary incontinence. Those affected pass urine involuntarily, for example when sneezing, coughing or during physical exertion.
  • Bladder cancer: in bladder cancer, a malignant tumour develops in the bladder. This can be limited to the bladder mucosa, but can also spread to the bladder wall and its muscle layer. In the beginning, bladder cancer often shows no symptoms. Sometimes it is difficult to urinate or there is an increased urge to urinate. Blood in the urine and abdominal pain are also possible (especially in advanced stages).
  • Prostatitis: this is an inflammation of the prostate that can be caused by bacteria that have spread through the urinary tract. Typical symptoms include a strong and frequent urge to urinate and pain when urinating and/or during bowel movements.
  • Prostate cancer: malignant tumours of the prostate are the most common form of cancer in men, with around 65000 new cases diagnosed each year.2 However, prostate cancer can often be treated well if detected early. Symptoms of prostate cancer are rather unspecific, such as an interrupted or weak urine stream or an increased urge to urinate at night. This makes it all the more important for men over the age of 45 to get the annual early detection test done so that any prostate tumours can be detected and treated as early as possible.3
  • Sexually transmitted diseases: some sexually transmitted diseases can cause problems with urination. Infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea (tripper), for example, can sometimes cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating. In most cases, STDs are accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching or changes in discharge. Condoms or other forms of contraception (such as femidoms) offer the best protection against such infections during sexual intercourse.
  • Certain medicines: the use of certain medicines can also cause difficulties urinating. These include some antihypertensives, antidepressants and painkillers.

In some cases, micturition disorders can also have psychological causes. Acute nervousness, anxiety or stress may lead to a feeling of increased urge to urinate. For example, those affected may feel the need to go to the toilet urgently, even though their bladder does not actually need to be emptied.

Problems with urination in men and women

Since the prostate is a male sex organ, only men are affected by prostate-related problems with urination. Women on the other hand, are more likely to suffer from urinary tract infections and associated symptoms such as a burning sensation when urinating. The reason: their urethra is significantly shorter than that of men. This makes it easy for bacteria to enter the bladder through the vaginal entrance and cause inflammation.

Visit to the doctor

Problems with urination: when you should see a doctor

Micturition problems need not be a cause for concern at first. Many of the possible causes mentioned are harmless and can be treated easily. Serious illnesses such as bladder or prostate cancer are rarely the trigger. However, a visit to the doctor may be useful for clarification. 

Consult a doctor if

  • the urine is brownish or reddish in colour (blood admixtures in the urine),
  • there is pain in the flank area and/or
  • problems with urination are accompanied by fever (body temperature of over 38 degrees Celsius).4

Attention: urinary retention as an emergency

If it is not possible to urinate at all despite a full bladder (urinary retention), this is a medical emergency. The urinary tract could be blocked by urinary stones, for example. Those affected should seek immediate medical attention.

It is always advisable to seek medical advice for micturition disorders if they persist for a longer period of time or significantly impair quality of life, such as in the case of urinary incontinence.

Treatment

Micturition disorders: treatment options

[Translate to English:] Mann macht Beckenbodentraining: Es kann dabei helfen, Probleme beim Wasserlassen in den Griff zu bekommen.

Treatment for burning sensation when urinating and other symptoms depends mainly on what is causing them. In some cases, those affected can take some measures on their own, but in others, medical treatment is necessary.

What measures can you take if you face problems with urination?

The following measures may help if the cause of the micturition problems is known and is harmless or a benign change: 

  1. In case of a weak pelvic floor: targeted pelvic floor training strengthens the muscle and may help regain or improve control over urination.
  2. In case of benign prostate enlargement: if the symptoms (such as urinating at night, frequent urge to urinate) are mild, changing everyday habits may be sufficient. Those affected should consciously drink less before going to bed, spread out the amount they drink throughout the day and avoid dehydrating drinks (for example some herbal teas).
  3. In case of cystitis (uncomplicated urinary tract infection): a simple bladder infection usually heals on its own within one week without any special treatment.5 During the infection, it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids to flush the bacteria out of the bladder. Some affected persons also find that applying heat (warm bath, cherry pit cushion) provides relief. 

These tips are usually safe to implement. However, if you are unsure, seek medical advice before you try them.

Relieve problems with urination with APOGEPHA products

There are a number of over-the-counter medicines that can help treat micturition disorders or reduce their symptoms. These are usually based on herbal ingredients. The following APOGEPHA products can be used:

  1. APOPROSTAT® forte for improving urinary complaints caused by benign prostate enlargement.
  2. FEMALAC® Bacteria Blocker for the supportive treatment of cystitis and prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections.
  3. UROL FLUX® for flushing the urinary tract, for example in the case of urinary tract infections or an irritable bladder.
  4. Prosturol® for the localised soothing and softening treatment of the anorectal canal for symptoms of congestion associated with acute and chronic prostatitis and benign prostate enlargement.
  5. Sabal UNO® to relieve the frequent urge to urinate caused by prostate enlargement.

Detailed information on the effects and use of these drugs can be found in the package insert of the respective product. Your doctor or pharmacist can also advise you on this.

APOGEPHA products at a glance 

Getting medical treatment

It is not always the case that problems with urination can be solved on one’s own or that they can go away by themselves. In such cases, medical treatment is important - here too, the form of therapy depends on the cause:

  • For chronic urinary tract infections or cystitis with severe symptoms (such as pain), antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness.
  • Antibiotic treatment is also an option for prostatitis if the inflammation is caused by bacteria.
  • There are various drugs that can slow down the growth of the prostate and reduce symptoms of prostate enlargement. If this is not enough, surgical measures may be considered.
  • Treatment for prostate and bladder cancer depends primarily on the progression of the disease. As a rule, an attempt is made to remove the tumour completely through surgery. In addition, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy can be used to combat tumours.
  • Most STDs can be treated well with medication, antibiotics or antiviral agents prescribed by the doctor.

Good to know

If problems with urination are a result of certain medicines being used, a change of medication should be considered. It is important that those affected always consult their doctor and do not stop taking medication without permission due to possible side effects.

For specialist groups

Micturition disorders: information for specialist groups

There is a wide range of micturition problems - symptoms such as nocturia and loss of urine due to benign prostatic syndrome (BPS) are a common problem, especially in men. Between 20 and 45 percent of men aged 50 to 59 are affected.1 Among men over 70s, the figure is as high as around 70 percent.1 Micturition problems are also common in women. They may be caused by a urinary tract infection. This occurs at least once a year in around 10 percent of women.5The treatment of such conditions is therefore very relevant in everyday medical practice.

APOGEPHA’s range of over-the-counter products can help with micturition problems, BPH, prostatitis and irritable bladder. APOGEPHA also offers a range of prescription drugs, including drugs for treating overactive bladder, antibiotics for urinary tract infections and hormone therapies for advanced prostate carcinoma.

Click here to access detailed product information via the specialist group login:

FAQs

FAQs: frequently asked questions about problems with urination

Difficulty when urinating includes various symptoms such as a frequent urge to urinate, weak urine stream and burning and pain when urinating.

Micturition is the technical term for urination. Micturition problems therefore describe various difficulties when urinating, such as a frequent urge to urinate, weak urine stream or pain and burning when going to the toilet.

Micturition disorders include all problems with urination, for example bladder weakness and the associated urinary incontinence, dribbling after urinating or a weak or interrupted urine stream. 

A visit to the doctor is always advisable if there is blood in the urine, severe pain or fever. In general, it is advisable to have all persistent complaints checked by a doctor. 

A burning sensation when urinating can also be caused by some sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., a chlamydia infection). In men, inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) is also a possibility. 

That depends on the cause. Changing your drinking habits, for example, can help with mild prostate enlargement. If there is pelvic floor weakness and therefore incontinence, targeted training can have a positive effect.

Sources

  • 1 “Benign prostate enlargement”. Gesundheitsinformation.de, Foundation for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, https://www.gesundheitsinformation.de/gutartige-prostatavergroesserung.html. Accessed on 28 July 2024.
  • 2 “Prostate cancer (prostate carcinoma)”. Cancer Information Service, German Cancer Research Centre, https://www.krebsinformationsdienst.de/prostatakrebs. Accessed on 28 July 2024.
  • 3 “Prostate cancer: Early detection and PSA test”. Cancer Information Service, German Cancer Research Centre, https://www.krebsinformationsdienst.de/prostatakrebs/frueherkennung. Accessed on 28 July 2024.
  • 4 “Fever”. Stiftung Gesundheitswissen, https://www.stiftung-gesundheitswissen.de/wissen/fieber/hintergrund. Accessed on 28 July 2024.
  • 5 “Acute cystitis”. Gesundheitsinformation.de, Foundation for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, https://www.gesundheitsinformation.de/akute-blasenentzuendung.html. Accessed on 28 July 2024.

    APOPROSTAT® forte

    • Pharmacy-only
    • Benign prostate enlargement
    • Pharmacy-exclusive

    Relaxed nights, active days: APOPROSTAT® forte with high-dose phytosterol alleviates the symptoms of benign prostate enlargement.

    [Translate to English:]

    UROL FLUX®

    • Treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections
    • Pharmacy-only

    UROL FLUX® Rinsing Therapy is used to treat and prevent urinary stones and renal gravel. Get information about the product here: UROL FLUX®

    [Translate to English:]

    Sabal UNO®

    • Treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections
    • Pharmacy-only

    This herbal medicinal product reduces the urge to urinate and improves the symptoms of prostate enlargement.

    [Translate to English:]