A low urine flow can sometimes be frustrating and uncomfortable. Is your urine flow weak? Are you having difficulty urinating or urinating? Do you feel as if your bladder can never be completely emptied? For men, this problem is usually caused by an enlarged prostate. However, urinary problems can also be caused by a number of other medical problems experienced by both men and women. Medical treatments, medications, and home remedies will improve your urine flow.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Treating Enlarged Prostate
Step 1. Visit a doctor for a prostate exam after age 50
The prostate is a gland in the male body that is located in the lower abdomen, and when it enlarges, it presses on the urethra. This causes slow urine flow, difficulty initiating urination, a dripping urine, and a weak stream. Enlarged prostate is common in men over 60 years of age. This condition is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, which is an enlargement of the prostate without the danger of cancer. If you have trouble urinating, see your doctor for a BPH check.
BPH is a common case, but prostate cancer-though rare-can also enlarge the prostate and cause symptoms of urinary problems. You should have your prostate checked regularly from the age of 50 (or earlier if you have a relative with prostate cancer)
Step 2. Change your bathroom routine
There are some changes you can make to your bathroom routine to minimize symptoms. You can try:
- Do it twice. Try emptying your bladder twice each time you go to the bathroom.
- Relax and don't rush. Try taking deep breaths while waiting for the urine to flow. Give it time and don't worry if it takes a while. Try reading a magazine or book while you wait.
- Sit down. If you usually urinate while standing, a sitting position may help you relax and make urination easier.
- Turn on the faucet. The sound of running water may encourage urination. Otherwise, try to imagine the sound of running water.
- Keep your body hydrated. You may be frustrated by the low urine flow and want to avoid urinating, but not drinking enough will only make the problem worse. Drink water often and don't drink before bed so you don't have to wake up often at night.
- Avoid substances that cause dehydration. Anything that can cause dehydration will make urination difficult. Avoid alcohol and drugs that can cause dehydration or problems urinating. Ask your doctor if you're not sure what medication is causing the problem.
Step 3. Drink saw palmetto extract
Purchase saw palmetto extract from a drug store to take as a supplement. Saw palmetto is a palm-like plant that has been used medicinally for decades. Some men feel that this supplement improves BPH symptoms even though it is not scientifically proven. Discuss the use of medications or supplements with your doctor first.
Buy saw palmetto extract in capsules of 160 mg and take it twice a day, unless your doctor advises otherwise. Check labels carefully and make sure you buy products that contain “85–95% fatty acids and sterols”
Step 4. Take prescription medication for moderate symptoms
For moderate symptoms, doctors usually prescribe alpha-blockers. This medicine may cause low blood pressure and dizziness when you stand up suddenly. So, be careful when you use it. Examples of alpha-blockers are tamsulosin (Flomax), terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), and silodosin (Rapaflo).
- Your doctor may also prescribe an alpha-reductase inhibitor (a type of antiandrogen) such as finasteride (Proscar) or dutasteride (Avodart) for prostate enlargement problems.
- If you are taking Viagra or other drugs to treat erectile dysfunction, do not use terazosin or doxazosin unless directed by your doctor.
Step 5. Get surgery for moderate to severe symptoms
There are several medical procedures that remove or destroy some of the prostate through the urethra. You'll be given anesthesia so you won't feel any pain during the procedure, and you may have to spend the night in hospital or go home that day. You and your doctor will decide which procedure is best from the following options:
- TURP, or transurethral resection of the prostate. Part of the prostate is removed to improve urine flow. This procedure can cause sexual side effects, such as difficulty ejaculating.
- Prostate ablation. Part of the prostate is burned with heat or light. This procedure is better for men who have medical problems because it doesn't bleed as much as TURP.
- Some minimally invasive procedures with few side effects that can be performed in one day although urinary problems may recur afterward are urethral dilation with deep incisions of the prostate, radiofrequency ablation, microwave thermotherapy, or prostate removal.
Step 6. Surgical removal of the prostate
If you are generally healthy and your prostate is very large, above 100 grams, or is causing severe urinary problems that affect your quality of life, you can have your prostate removed surgically.
You may need surgery if you frequently bleed when urinating, have frequent urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or are unable to pass urine
Method 2 of 4: Physically Caring for the Pelvis and Bladder
Step 1. Do Kegel exercises
Women and men alike can benefit from Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor and improve urine control and flow. You can do Kegel exercises anywhere, just by following these instructions:
- When you urinate, squeeze the muscle that stops the flow of urine midway. Those are the muscles you need to concentrate on. You can do this exercise in any position.
- Tighten the muscle, hold it for 5 seconds, then release. Repeat several times.
- Gradually increase the time until you can hold the muscle for 10 seconds, then rest 10 seconds. Try doing three sets of 10 reps daily.
- Do not tighten other muscles such as the stomach, legs, or buttocks. Focus only on the pelvic floor muscles.
Step 2. Get physical support for the bladder
Sometimes, vaginal delivery, severe coughing, or exerting excessive force can weaken the muscles that hold the bladder so that the bladder protrudes into the vagina or down the abdomen, which is medically known as a prolapsed bladder. This can affect your ability to urinate and can be a problem if you feel a sensation of fullness or pressure in your vagina or pelvis, it's worse when you exert yourself or give birth, you feel that your bladder doesn't completely empty after urinating, you pass a small amount of urine when you urinate. having sex, or seeing or feeling a bulge of a gland in the vagina.
- Ask the doctor to give you a pessary, a support for the bladder that is inserted into the vagina.
- In severe cases, you may have surgery to strengthen your pelvic muscles and ligaments.
Step 3. Use an estrogen cream
Most women with weak bladders or weak bladders have difficulty after menopause, due to a drop in estrogen which then thins and weakens the skin and tissues. Using estrogen creams made for the vagina can help strengthen the skin and surrounding tissue. Ask your doctor or OB/GYN specialist if your problem can be helped with “topical” estrogen.
Step 4. Use a hot compress on the lower abdomen
Place a hot water bottle or heating pack on the lower abdomen, between the navel and the pubic bone. Like other muscles, heat can relax your bladder and help you urinate better.
You can also try bathing or soaking in warm water
Step 5. Discuss cholinergic medication
Cholinergic medications increase the force of bladder contractions, which helps urinate if the flow is weakened due to tissue problems. The drug usually prescribed is bethanechol hydrochloride (Urecholine), but it can cause many side effects. So, talk to your doctor about whether this medication is right for you.
Ask your doctor about your condition. For example, “What makes it difficult for me to urinate?” and “What medicine will help? Are there any side effects associated with this medicine?"
Method 3 of 4: Resolving Medical Causes of Problems with Urine Flow
Step 1. Get medical treatment for weak flow accompanied by pain in the groin
Prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate caused by infection, is the cause of slow or weak urine flow in men. This condition is usually accompanied by pain in the groin or pelvis, and possibly chills or fever. Check with your doctor if these symptoms are related to difficulty urinating.
Prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection will be treated with antibiotics
Step 2. Get treatment if there is a burning sensation when urinating
Urinary tract infections are more common in women than men. This infection can cause inflammation or swelling that blocks the flow of urine. See your doctor if you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as:
- Strong urge to urinate
- Burning sensation or pain when urinating
- Frequent and little urination, or weak urine flow
- Urine looks cloudy, pink, red, or brown
- Pain in the middle of the pelvis
- Strong smelling urine
Step 3. Treat constipation
Sometimes during constipation, hard stools push against the urethra or bladder and block the passage of urine. If you can't urinate or the flow is weak and you're also constipated, try dealing with the constipation first, then see if you can urinate better.
- To treat constipation, drink plenty of water, eat dried prunes, and avoid dairy products.
- Take an over-the-counter laxative such as Miralax or Colace, or try a Fleet Enema. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
Step 4. Check for scar tissue
If you have had surgery in the lower abdominal area, there may be scar tissue forming there. See a doctor for an evaluation and discuss your disease, surgery, or medical problems with your bladder, kidneys, urethra, vagina, or prostate. Scar tissue is sometimes removed with minor surgery to make more room for urine flow.
The scarred area can also be opened with a dilator that stretches the area to improve urine flow. This procedure should be repeated over time
Step 5. Stop taking medications that reduce urination
Stay away from antihistamines like Benadryl and decongestants like pseudoephedrine, which are found in many cold medications. These materials make urination difficult.
Method 4 of 4: Keeping Your Body Hydrated
Step 1. Ensure adequate fluid requirements
If your flow is weak, you may actually be dehydrated. Men should drink about 3 liters of fluids per day and women should drink 2 liters of fluids per day. Drink plenty of fluids if you're also sweating a lot, exercising, or living in a hot climate. Water, juice, and tea are included in the fluid intake needed.
If your urine is light and dark in color, you may be dehydrated
Step 2. Reduce salt in food
A high-salt diet can cause water retention which then limits urination. Reduce salt by avoiding fast food and processed foods such as chips and other packaged snacks. Instead of salt, season dishes with herbs and spices.
Step 3. Take a diuretic
If you have a medical problem that makes your body retain extra fluids, such as heart failure, your doctor may prescribe a diuretic. Diuretics are drugs that increase urination. Diuretics should only be used for specific conditions. So, discuss the problem of urination with your doctor and ask if you can use a diuretic.
Tips
A high-fat diet contributes to an enlarged prostate as you age. So stick to a healthy, low-fat diet full of vegetables and whole grains for the rest of your life
Warning
- Take your medication as directed, and discuss the use of any medications or supplements with your doctor before starting to take them.
- All operations have risks. Discuss the risks and benefits of various procedures with your doctor.
