Low urine flow can be frustrating and cause a lot of discomfort. Do you find it difficult to start urinating? Does pee come out weakly? Don't you ever feel like you've emptied your bladder completely? These disorders are commonly caused by an enlarged prostate in men. However, urination problems have numerous etiologies, in both women and men; medical care, medications, and home remedies can help you increase urine flow.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Treating the Enlarged Prostate
Step 1. See your doctor for a prostate evaluation once you turn 50
The prostate is a male gland present in the lower abdomen which, when enlarged, can compress the urethra; as a result, the patient complains of a reduced and weak flow of pee, difficulty starting to urinate and dripping. It is very common for men over 60 to have hyperplastic prostate. This anomaly is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a non-cancerous enlargement of the gland; if you have problems with urination, go to the doctor to undergo the necessary tests.
BPH is very common indeed, but prostate cancer, although rarer, also causes the same symptoms; it is therefore essential to carry out regular checks from the age of 50 (or even earlier, if a relative has had gland cancer)
Step 2. Change your bathroom habits
There are several small steps you can take to minimize symptoms. Here are some suggestions:
- Pee twice. Every time you go to the bathroom try to empty your bladder twice;
- Relax and take your time. Take a few deep breaths while you wait for the urine stream to start flowing; give yourself plenty of time and don't worry if it takes a while. Read a magazine or book while you wait.
- Sit down to urinate if you are used to peeing standing up, try sitting down to relax and facilitate the process.
- Open the faucet. The sound of running water may stimulate you; if this is not possible, try to imagine the sound of flowing water.
- Maintain good hydration. Perhaps you feel frustrated by the low flow and try to avoid going to the bathroom as much as possible; however, not drinking enough water only makes the situation worse. Sip it throughout the day and avoid doing it late at night so you don't have to get up often during the night.
- Do not consume substances that dehydrate. Anything that can deprive the body of fluids makes urination even more difficult. Do not drink alcohol or take medications that trigger dehydration or make it difficult to pass urine; if you don't know which medications may be problematic, ask your doctor.
Step 3. Take the Serenoa repens extract
Buy it at a herbalist's shop or pharmacy; this plant has been used for decades for its medicinal properties. Some men have found BPH symptoms to benefit from this supplement, although there is no scientific evidence for it; before taking any medicine or supplements, talk to your doctor.
Buy a 160 mg capsule supplement and take it twice a day, unless your doctor suggests a different dosage; read the label carefully to make sure the product contains "85-95% fatty acids and sterols"
Step 4. Take prescription medications to treat mild symptoms
Alpha blockers are the most used to help men with mildly annoying disorders; as they cause low blood pressure and dizziness when standing up, you need to be cautious when starting such therapy. Alpha blockers include tamsulosin, terazosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin and silodosin.
- Your doctor may also prescribe an alpha-reductase inhibitor (a type of antiandrogen), such as finasteride or dutasteride, to treat an enlarged prostate.
- If you are taking Viagra or another medicine to manage erectile dysfunction, do not take terazosin or doxazosin without first checking with your doctor.
Step 5. Undergo surgery to resolve moderate to severe symptoms
There are several procedures that remove or destroy part of the prostate by accessing the urethra. During the surgery you are sedated or anesthetized so as not to feel pain; you could spend the night in the hospital or go home the same day. Your doctor decides with you which of these procedures is best suited to your situation:
- Endoscopic resection of the prostate: part of the gland is removed to improve the flow of urine; it could affect your sex life, such as ejaculation problems.
- Transurethral needle ablation: Part of the prostate is burned with heat or light. This procedure is more suitable for men with other health problems, because it causes less bleeding than resection.
- Some minimally invasive procedures have minimal side effects and can be performed in day surgery, although urinary problems may recur. These include enlargement of the urethra with incision of the prostate, radiofrequency ablation, microwave thermotherapy and prostate lifting.
Step 6. Have your prostate removed
If you are in good health, but the gland is very large, weighs more than 100g, or causes severe urinary symptoms that worsen your quality of life, you can remove it with surgery.
If you often notice blood in your urine, have frequent urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney problems, or are unable to urinate, you may need an operation
Part 2 of 4: Physically Treating the Pelvis and Bladder
Step 1. Do Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor
Both women and men can benefit from these exercises which minimize incontinence episodes and improve urinary flow. You can do them anywhere by following these simple instructions:
- While you pee, you contract the muscles that block the flow, which are the ones you want to isolate; you can practice in any position;
- Contract these muscles for 5 seconds, then relax them. Repeat for several consecutive times;
- Gradually increase the duration of your contractions up to 10 seconds. Then do three sets of 10 repetitions every day.
- Do not contract other muscles such as the abdominals, legs or buttocks; concentrate only on stimulating those of the pelvic floor.
Step 2. Get physical bladder support
Sometimes vaginal delivery, an intense coughing fit, or exertion can weaken the muscles that hold the bladder in place, causing it to prolapse into the vagina. This problem impairs urination and, if you experience a feeling of fullness or pressure in the vagina or pelvis, if the difficulties get worse when you strain or bend down, if you feel like you can never completely empty your bladder after being in bathroom, lose urine during intercourse, or feel a lump in your vaginal canal, prolapse could be the cause of your difficulties.
- Ask the gynecologist if you can insert a pessary, a bladder support that is introduced into the vagina;
- In severe cases, surgery may be required to strengthen pelvic muscles and ligaments.
Step 3. Use an estrogen cream
Most women with urine leakage or a weak flow of pee experience problems after menopause, as estrogen levels drop, skin and tissues thin and lose firmness. Using an estrogen cream to apply in the vagina could help tone the surrounding tissues; ask the gynecologist if a topical procedure of this kind can help.
Step 4. Apply warm compresses to your lower abdomen
Place a hot-water bottle or similar compress between the navel and pubic bone; just like with any other muscle, heat relaxes the bladder and helps urine flow.
You can also take a very hot shower or soak in a hot bath
Step 5. Evaluate cholinergic medications
These are medicines that increase the intensity of bladder contractions thus helping you to urinate when the weak flow is caused by nerve problems. Usually, bethanechol is prescribed, but it has several adverse effects and you must therefore evaluate it together with the gynecologist.
Ask your doctor about the origins of your urinary problem and what medications might help you, also considering possible side effects
Part 3 of 4: Treating Medical Causes
Step 1. Get medical attention if you complain of a weak flow accompanied by groin pain
Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) could be triggered by an infection that reduces the strength and volume of urine flow in men; you may complain of pain in the pelvis or groin, possibly chills or fever. If these symptoms occur in conjunction with urination difficulties, see your doctor for an evaluation.
Prostatitis is treated with antibiotics if the origin is a bacterial infection
Step 2. See your doctor if you feel burning
UTIs are much more common in women than in men; they can trigger inflammation or swelling that blocks urine. If you experience the following discomfort, do not hesitate to contact your doctor:
- An intense urge to urinate;
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Need to pee often, even if the amount is minimal or the flow is weak
- Urine is cloudy, pink, red, or brown
- Pain in the center of the pelvis
- Foul-smelling urine.
Step 3. Treat constipation
If you are constipated, hardened stools can sometimes compress the urethra or bladder blocking the flow of urine. If you are unable to pee or if it comes out weakly and you are also constipated, try to remedy the intestinal problem and see if the urinary one improves as well.
- Drink extra water, eat prunes and avoid dairy products to reduce constipation;
- Take over-the-counter laxatives or do an enema. ask your pharmacist for advice on this.
Step 4. Get tested for scar tissue
If you have had surgery in the abdominal area in the past, scars may have formed. Go to your doctor for a visit and tell them about any illnesses, operations, or health problems you have had with your bladder, kidney, urethra, vagina, or prostate. Scar tissue can typically be removed with minimal surgery giving the urine more room to flow.
These areas can be opened with dilators that stretch the tissues and allow a better passage of the body fluid; these procedures must be repeated over time
Step 5. Stop taking medications that reduce urination
Stay away from antihistamines like Benadryl and decongestants like pseudoephedrine which is often used in cold medications; these active ingredients worsen the urinary problem.
Part 4 of 4: Managing Hydration
Step 1. Stay hydrated
If you have a weak urinary stream, maybe you just need to drink. Men should consume about 3 liters of water and other fluids every day, while women about 2, 2 liters; drink even more if you sweat a lot, exercise or live in a very hot climate. Water, juices, and tea are part of your daily hydrating fluid count.
If your pee is light and dark, you may be dehydrated
Step 2. Reduce your salt intake
Consuming foods rich in sodium causes water retention, a phenomenon that limits the amount of urine. Reduce salt in your diet by avoiding fast foods, industrial foods and all other products that are on the snack shelf. Season dishes with herbs and spices instead of table salt.
Step 3. Take a diuretic
If you have a condition that causes your body to retain a lot of water, such as heart failure, your doctor may prescribe this type of medicine. It is a substance that increases urination and is used only to treat specific diseases; then discuss your urinary problems with your doctor and ask if this may be a good solution for you.
Advice
Diets high in fat contribute to benign prostatic hyperplasia in the future; therefore follow a healthy diet, low in fat, rich in vegetables and whole grains for life
Warnings
- Take medications only as directed and discuss the use of medications or supplements with your doctor beforehand.
- All surgeries involve risks; weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure with the doctor.
