Urinary hesitancy

Difficulty initiating or sustaining micturition, characterized by delayed onset of the urine stream, reduced or intermittent urinary flow, and possible incomplete bladder emptying.

Causes

• Obstructive and structural causes

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

  • Urethral stricture

  • Cystocele

  • Bladder or kidney stones

  • Severe constipation

• Inflammatory and infectious causes

  • Prostatitis

  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)

• Pelvic floor dysfunction

• Neurogenic bladder (lack of bladder control)

  • Trauma or spinal cord injury

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Parkinson's disease

  • Stroke

  • Brain tumor

  • Spina bifida

  • Diabetes mellitus (autonomic neuropathy)

• Medication-related causes

  • Decongestants/vasoconstrictors

  • Antihistamines

  • Tricyclic antidepressants

  • Urinary incontinence medications with anticholinergic effects

• Psychological causes

  • Anxiety

  • Paruresis (shy bladder syndrome)