Once you’ve identified your pelvic floor muscles, tighten them and hold the contraction for five seconds, followed by relaxing them for five seconds. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Repeat this sequence five to 10 times a few different times daily. Over the course of a few weeks, work up to keeping the pelvic muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, while also relaxing for 10 seconds afterwards. Do the exercises standing and sitting as well. Repeat this sequence five to 10 times daily until you’re able to control your bladder better. Be careful not to cheat by flexing your abdominals, thighs or buttocks, and remember to breathe freely while doing the exercises. Many factors weaken pelvic floor muscles, such as pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, aging, obesity, chronic coughing and excessive straining from constipation. [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Empty your bladder as best you can as soon as you wake up. Then set intervals of one to two hours to try to go again, regardless of urge. As success is achieved controlling your bladder and urinating on demand, increase the interval in 15–30 minute increments until it’s possible to remain comfortable for three to four hours. It typically takes between six to 12 weeks to gain control of your bladder again and be able to fully void it when you feel the urge to urinate.
Turn the temperature up in your house during the winter time and consider wearing slippers and a robe to the bathroom to keep warm. Set up some aromatherapy candles in your bathroom and give it a “spa look” to soothe and relax you while you’re trying to pee. If you’re a “clean freak,” keep your bathroom tidy so it doesn’t distract or bother you. Take your time. You need to allow yourself an average of 30–60 seconds to urinate, so don’t rush and get stressed about it. Try running some water in the bathroom sink in efforts to stimulate a strong urge to empty your bladder.
Alternatively, try tapping the skin/muscle/fat directly over your bladder to trigger a contraction and release. For women, inserting a sanitized finger into their vagina and applying forward pressure against the anterior vaginal wall can often stimulate the bladder and get it to release urine. For men, too much stimulation of the lower abdomen might cause an erection, which makes it much more difficult to urinate. As such, maintain a flaccid penis when trying to fully empty your bladder. Letting warm water run over your lower abdomen and genitalia can trigger the urge to pee. As such, try emptying your bladder while taking a warm shower.
It’s usually better for your doctor to perform catheterization under a local anesthesia, but if you feel comfortable with the procedure and can use some lubrication instead, then give it a try. Lubrication can reduce the need for a topical anesthesia, but some compounds (such as petroleum jelly) can irritate the delicate mucus membranes of the urethra and lead to pain. It’s important to sterilize the catheter thoroughly before inserting it into your urethra, as any introduction of bacteria can lead to an infection.
You doctor may take a urine sample, x-rays, CT scan, MRI and/or diagnostic ultrasound studies to determine the cause of your bladder problem. Get a referral to a genitourinary specialist for more testing, such as cystoscopy (insertion of a scope to view inside the bladder/urethra), urodynamic testing (measures bladder’s ability to empty), and/or electromyography (measures muscle activity of bladder/lower pelvis). [10] X Research source Common symptoms of urinary retention include: pain in lower abdomen, bloating, frequent urge to urinate, difficulty starting/stopping urine stream, weak flow of urine and leakage. [11] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If you’re in severe discomfort from a full bladder that refuses to empty, your doctor can drain your bladder with a catheter — a relatively quick outpatient procedure done with a local anesthetic. Self-catheterization can be taught for home use (see above).
Medications that can relax the muscles of the bladder/urethra and also help with prostate enlargement include: alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), silodosin (Rapaflo), tadalafil (Cialis), tamsulosin (Flomax), terazosin (Hytrin). Medications should be viewed as only a short-term solution and not thought of as a permanent cure for urinary retention.
Alternatively, the urethra can be made wider by inflating a small balloon attached to the end of a catheter. These procedures are performed by a genitourinary specialist called a urologist. Unlike regular catheterization which can be taught, dilation and stenting should not be done at home under any circumstances.
This therapy is also known as sacral nerve stimulation, although the sacral nerves in and around the tail bone can also be stimulated manually by massaging the area with a vibrating device. Try this at home to see if it causes better bladder emptying. Sacral nerve stimulation is not indicated for a bladder or urinary retention problem caused by an obstruction. Be aware that not all forms of non-obstructive urinary retention can be treated with sacral nerve stimulation, so ask your urologist if it’s a good idea for you.
An internal urethrotomy involves repairing a urethral stricture (blockage) by inserting a special catheter with a laser on the end. A cystocele or rectocele procedure involves removing cysts, repairing holes and strengthening the vagina and surrounding tissues to move the bladder into its normal position. To treat urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), part or all of the gland is surgically removed, typically by the transurethral method (use of a catheter inserted through the urethra). Other surgeries can be done to remove tumors and/or cancerous tissues in the bladder or urethra if that applicable.
