Urinary Retention Treatment: Specialists in NYC

by Alex Shteynshlyuger MD

If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4151.

We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners.  Information for out-of-state and international patients.  Find out our office hours or directions to our office. 

We offer affordable appointment prices with or without insurance.  Same-day virtual video appointments and in-person appointments are available.

Urgent Care for Retention of Urine (Inability to Urinate) in Men and Women

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer urgent same-day and next-day evaluation and treatment for symptoms of urinary retention.   If you are experiencing difficulty passing urine and feel incomplete bladder emptying, you need to see a board-certified experienced urologist as you may have retention of urine in the bladder.

At New York Urology Specialists, our center is fully equipped with sophisticated diagnostic equipment, including digital cystoscopy, in-office bladder ultrasound, and automated urinalysis to assist us in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary retention. We are able to offer more than 95% of treatments for urinary retention on the spot in our office.  In rare circumstances, we will refer you to an affiliated hospital or surgical center if a surgical treatment that cannot be performed in the office settings is necessary. 

We offer medical treatment, urinary catheterization, treatment for urinary stricture disease, BPH, and other causes of urinary retention.  We also remove and change urethral Foley catheters and suprapubic catheters. In-home catheter changes are available.

We are able to help many of our patients to get rid of urethral Foley catheters through the problem-directed treatment of the underlying problem.

What is Urinary Retention?

Urinary retention refers to the inability to empty the urinary bladder completely.  Some people are able to urinate but do not empty their bladder completely. Often, more urine is ‘retained’ in the bladder than urinated out. Some people with urinary retention are unable to urinate at all and require catheterization to empty their bladder.

There are 2 types of urinary retention: non-obstructive urinary retention and urinary retention caused by blockage or obstruction.  In some patients, urinary retention may be caused by a combination of obstruction and non-obstructive urinary retention.

Non-obstructive urinary retention can occur in men or women of all ages.  Typically non-obstructive urinary retention is caused by poor functioning of bladder muscles or nerves that control bladder emptying. Sometimes this may be caused by neuropathy, medications, or for unknown reasons.

Obstructive urinary retention is much more common and is caused by blockage of urine flow. In men, the most common cause of blockage is enlarged prostate or urethral stricture. In women, urinary retention can be caused by pelvic masses, large fibroids, or pelvic floor prolapse (cystocele, uterine prolapse).

Where to Get Treatment for Urinary Retention in NYC?

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer same-day treatment of urinary retention for men and women.  Same-day virtual video appointments and in-person appointments are available.

Call/text today: 1-646-663-4151 or make an appointment online.  

We perform Interstim sacral neuromodulation, bladder tumor removal, slings for urinary incontinence, Botox for OAB, artificial urinary sphincter.  We offer treatment for bladder stones, urinary retention, frequent urination, kidney stones, urinary incontinence, painful urination, prostatitis, frequent UTI, and pelvic pain. We treat sexual and erection problems and offer comprehensive STD testing for infections. We offer confidential appointments.

Our appointment costs are affordable with or without insurance.  We offer free insurance verification.

We perform cystoscopy, pelvic sonogram, and bladder ultrasound in our office.  We offer Botox for bladder control, Urolift procedure, Rezum water-vapor procedure in our office.   We treat urinary and erection problems. We offer confidential appointments.

Urinary Retention may be Partial or Complete.

Partial urinary retention occurs when the urinary bladder empties only partially after urination.  Bladder ultrasound can determine the post-void residual (PVR) volume of the urine left in the bladder after urination. Usually, the post-void residual testing is performed in combination with the uroflow (uroflowmetry) test to determine the speed of urine flow.

Complete urinary retention occurs when the bladder does not empty at all or empties minimally with a large amount of urine left over.   A patient may not be able to urinate at all despite having an urge to pee and pain in the bladder. Some patients may be urinating small amounts of urine frequently, but the bladder may hold greater than 500 ml or as much as 1000-2000 mL of urine.  Complete urinary retention is a dangerous condition that may affect kidney function, predispose to urinary tract infections and cause blood in the urine.

Sometimes patients may be incontinent due to overflow urinary retention.  In this situation, the bladder becomes so full that the urinary sphincter muscle that normally keeps one from leaking urine gets over-powered, and urine leaks through as an overflowing river goes through a dam. 

Symptoms of Urinary Retention

Occasionally, urinary retention may be minimally symptomatic. Commonly urinary retention symptoms include lower abdominal discomfort, an urgency to urinate, a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying, pressure, and pain.

Frequent urination may be a sign of urinary retention. With complete urinary retention, you may feel that your bladder is full and you need to urinate but unable to pass urine. Slow urine stream and waking up at night to urinate may also be signs of urinary retention or incomplete bladder emptying. Blood in urine and frequent UTI may also be caused by urinary retention.

What is the Normal Amount of Urine that Can be Left in the Bladder after Urination?

The amount of urine left in the urinary bladder after peeing depends on the age and sex of the patient. Some medications and medical problems such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis may affect how well the bladder empties.  To some extent, the amount of urine present in the bladder prior to urination also affects how much is left at the end of urination.  Normal bladder capacity is around 500 ml (16 oz) but varies.  A bladder diverticulum can cause an elevated amount of post-void residual in the bladder.

What Happens When the Bladder Does Not Empty Completely?

For the purposes of explanation, let’s assume that the amount the urinary bladder can hold is normal, with a normal bladder capacity of around 500 ml (16 oz).  If a patient has incomplete bladder emptying with 150 ml (5 oz) left in the bladder after urination, that means that 30% of the bladder  (150 ml left / 500 ml capacity) is filled already right after they have urinated. As a result, the time they have to fill the bladder (the time until they get the urge to pee again) is shorter by 30%.  A patient will have frequent urination and possibly a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying.

If bladder capacity is also small, for example, if the bladder can only hold 300 ml (10 oz), and post-void residual is 150 ml (5 oz), then the bladder empties only half-way (150 ml / 300 ml capacity), and this may be one of the reasons people with incomplete bladder emptying have a frequent urge to urinate.  Patients with small bladder capacity and incomplete bladder emptying usually feel an urge to pee and frequent urination. 

Younger patients should not have any urine left in the bladder after urination or a minimal amount.  In general, women should also have minimal to no urine left; in older women, up to 50 mL (1.5 oz) of urine may be acceptable.  UTI can increase the amount of residual urine in the bladder.  It is best to test for post-void residual once UTI symptoms have resolved.  

In older men, in general, a larger postvoid residual may be acceptable.  Certainly, a postvoid residual greater than  50-75 ml can affect the urinary function and is an indicator of underlying bladder problems.

Causes of Urinary Retention

The causes of urinary retention differ in men and women. The following are common causes of urinary retention in both men and women:

• Urethral cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Radiation-induced urethral stricture
• Non-obstructive urinary retention due to the neurogenic bladder or detrusor areflexia

Urinary Retention in Women

In women, especially younger women, most commonly, causes of urinary retention are related to neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or medications.  

In older women, bladder outlet obstruction from pelvic organ prolapse, such as a cystocele, and uterine prolapse, can lead to urinary tract obstruction and urinary retention.  Neurological problems such as spinal cord injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis can also lead to urinary retention in women.  Occasionally cervical cancer or prior radiation to the pelvis can cause urethral obstruction and urinary retention.

Urinary Retention in Men

Urinary retention is much more common in men than in women. The causes of urinary retention in men include most of the causes of urinary retention in women, including neurological problems such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, and medications.  

In addition, in men especially starting around age 45-50,  urinary retention tends to be caused by enlarged prostate due to BPH, prostate swelling due to infection, or poorly functioning bladder.

• BPH / Enlarged prostate
• Urethral Stricture
• Phimosis

Treatment Options for Urinary Retention In New York

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer advanced innovative treatment options for urinary retention in men and women.

• Clean intermittent catheterization, indwelling Foley catheterization.
• Advanced magnetic driven motorized artificial sphincter for women with urinary incontinence (Vesiflo  Bladder Drainage)
• Sacral Neuromodulation with InterStim for Nonobstructive Urinary Retention
• Greenlight laser for enlarged prostate in men.
• Bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate for enlarged prostate in men

Did you know? Dr. Shteynshlyuger has performed over 1,000 bladder, kidney, penile, and prostate surgeries, including Interstim sacral neuromodulation, bladder tumor removal, slings for urinary incontinence, Botox for OAB, artificial urinary sphincter, Urolift, and prostate enucleation.  He performs 150-200 surgeries a year.

Read Real Stories of Men and Women who Underwent Treatment for Urinary Problems at New York Urology Specialists.

Read RealStories:  Frequent UTI and bladder pain in a 43-year-old woman.

Read RealStories:  Frequent urination and slow urine stream in a 49-year-old man. 

Read RealStories:  Pain with urination and after ejaculation for 1 year in a 36-year-old man.

Read RealStories:  32-year-old woman with a constant need to urinate and urinary leakage.

Cost of Urinary Retention Treatment without Insurance

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer affordable treatment. Our prices are low for patients without insurance and for those who have high insurance copays, high deductibles, or insurance plans that do not cover treatment costs. 

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer flat-fee, ‘all-costs-included’ procedures such as cystoscopy, bladder biopsy, urodynamic studies, bladder ultrasound, Botox for bladder problems, and many more.  The procedures are performed in our office under local anesthesia or sedation. Men and women from other states can save thousands of dollars over local hospital fees by coming to New York Urology Specialists for treatment.  Please contact us for current prices and discounts for patients without insurance or with high insurance deductibles.

Cost of Treatment and Insurances

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer affordable treatment for men and women. Our prices are low for patients without insurance and for those who have high insurance copays, high deductibles, or insurance plans that do not cover treatment costs. 

We accept many health insurance plans.  We would be happy to verify your eligibility and benefits and provide you with detailed information on your health plan’s coverage.  Financing options and credit options are available to help you pay for medical care.

Why Choose New York Urology Specialists for Urinary Retention?

• All treatment is performed by a board-certified urologist experienced in treating men and women with symptoms of frequent urination, urge to pee,  urinary incontinence, UTI, and other urinary problems using medical therapy, minimally invasive therapies, lasers, and surgery.  
• We are one of the few practices in the region to offer a full range of options for treating urinary problems, erection problems in men, and sexual problems in women.
• We offer treatment options for frequent urination, overactive bladder, bladder pain, pelvic pain, and prostatitis in our office.  Office procedures avoid the risks, costs, and recovery from general anesthesia.  
• We offer diagnostic testing in our office, which avoids hospital costs.
• Extensive experience: Thousands of men and women have been treated successfully with Botox injections for frequent urination, tibial nerve neuromodulation, Interstim sacral neuromodulation, bladder stone removal, kidney stone lithotripsy, urethral sling, and artificial urinary sphincter.
• Confidential and Understanding Care. We understand that most of our patients desire privacy.  We see patients with a variety of urological problems. Your reason for visiting us is entirely confidential.
• We are conveniently located within a 30-60 minute commute to men and women seeking treatment for bladder control problems, enlarged prostate, bladder cancer, urinary, and cancer treatment in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, Long Island, Bronx, and New Jersey.

What do Urinary Problems Look Like?

You can find pictures of urinary problems and before and after treatment images in our image gallery.

Scheduling Appointments for Urinary Retention Treatment at New York Urology Specialists

If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4151.

We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners.  Information for out-of-state and international patients.  Find out our office hours or directions to our office. 

We offer affordable appointment prices with or without insurance.  Same-day virtual video appointments and in-person appointments are available.

Dr. Shteynshlyuger MD is a board-certified urologist in NYC who specializes in treating urinary problems in men and women.   He has performed hundreds of urethral, bladder, and kidney surgeries, including cystoscopy, Interstim sacral neuromodulation, bladder tumor removal, slings for urinary incontinence, Botox for OAB, artificial urinary sphincter, surgery for enlarged prostate, and many other procedures.  

Urinary Problem Treatment for Men and Women With Fast Recovery at New York Urology Specialists

At New York Urology Specialists, our urologists are specially trained in evaluating and treating bladder and prostate problems in men and women’s health concerns, including sexual problems and urinary problems.  We understand the challenges that urinary and sexual problems create for our patients, their relationships, and their self-esteem.  We help you find a treatment for bladder control problems that fit your needs, lifestyle, and preferences.

Urologists are doctors specializing in treating men and women with urinary problems and sexual problems, including bladder leakage problems, urge to pee, incomplete bladder emptying, and frequent urination. By virtue of our experience and skill, we can offer an effective treatment option for nearly every man and woman who desires an effective treatment for any problem that affects the urinary tract.  We offer medical and surgical treatment for urinary and sexual problems.

We Treat Some of the Most Complex Urinary Problems Including:

• Enlarged prostate
• Prostate Cancer
• Burning during urination
• Frequent urination
• Urinary retention
• Chronic Prostatitis
• Pelvic Pain
• Bladder Pain
• Frequent Urination
• Pelvic pain

If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4151.

We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners.  Information for out-of-state and international patients.  Find out our office hours or directions to our office. 

We offer affordable appointment prices with or without insurance.  Same-day virtual video appointments and in-person appointments are available.

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