Urination - difficulty with flow

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Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

(Page 2)

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Urinalysis and culture
• Urethral swab for culture
• Transrectal ultrasound of the prostate (similar to a transvaginal ultrasound)
• Catheterization of the bladder to determine residual urine volume and to obtain urine for culture (a catheterized urine specimen)
• Cystometrography
• Voiding cystourethrogram

Treatment of urinary hesitancy varies depending on the underlying cause. Often, medications such as alpha blockers can relieve the symptoms. If a bacterial infection is present, antibiotics may be prescribed. A surgical procedure may be required to relieve prostate obstruction (see TURP).

Review Date: 09/30/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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