Urinary Issues

What are urinary issues?

Common urinary issues include:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Frequent urination
• Urinary urgency
• Weak urinary stream
• Incomplete bladder emptying
• Leaking or dribbling urine
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Hematuria (blood in the urine)
• Nocturia (frequent nighttime urination)
• Pelvic pain when urinating
• Burning sensation when urinating

Stress incontinence causes urine leakage when coughing, laughing, or exercising. It mainly affects women after childbirth. Men don’t develop stress incontinence unless they’ve had prostate surgery or a pelvic injury.

Urge incontinence causes a sudden desperate need to urinate. You might not be able to hold your urine for very long, meaning you leak before reaching a toilet. Urge incontinence is common in men, mainly from middle age onward.

Why would I have urinary issues?

The main conditions triggering urinary issues are:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH is a benign (noncancerous) prostate enlargement. The prostate gland circles a man’s urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. If the gland enlarges beyond normal, it puts pressure on the urethra, affecting urination.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer develops when cells genetically mutate to form masses. Untreated prostate cancer can be fatal, but early diagnosis significantly increases your chances of long-term survival. Prostate cancer treatments can also affect the urinary tract.

How are urinary issues diagnosed?

Dr. Samadi diagnoses your symptoms by completing a medical history review, physical exam, and symptom check. He can then arrange further tests to confirm an initial diagnosis, including:

Digital rectal exam (DRE)

For a DRE, Dr. Samadi inserts a gloved finger into the rectum. He can detect prostate enlargement and abnormalities that could be signs of cancer.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test

Elevated PSA levels in your blood could be indicators of prostate problems.

Urinary flow test

A urinary flow test involves urinating into a container attached to a device that measures urine flow’s strength and volume.

Cystoscopy

A cystoscope has a lighted tip that Dr. Samadi inserts into the urethra. Cystoscopy allows him to thoroughly examine your bladder and urinary tract for obstructions or abnormalities.

Dr. Samadi might need to do an MRI fusion biopsy to extract material for lab testing. This procedure combines magnetic resonance imaging with ultrasound to produce precise pictures of the prostate gland.

Once you have a diagnosis, you can benefit from cutting-edge treatments like robotic surgery. Dr. Samadi uses advanced techniques to minimize the risk of urinary tract damage.

Call David B Samadi, MD, today or book an appointment online if you need help with urinary issues.