Urinary Retention
Trouble emptying the bladder — sudden and painful, or slow and silent. We find the cause and restore normal emptying.
Urinary retention
Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder completely. Acute retention — suddenly being unable to urinate — is painful and needs same-day treatment with a catheter. Chronic retention develops gradually, often without pain, and may only be noticed as dribbling, frequent infections, or an incidental finding on a bladder scan.
Common causes
- Enlarged prostate (the most frequent cause in men)
- Nerve problems affecting the bladder (neurogenic bladder), including diabetes, spinal conditions, and after surgery
- Medications, urethral stricture, pelvic organ prolapse, and post-operative retention
How we help
Dr. Sosenko uses bladder scanning, urodynamic testing, and cystoscopy to identify the cause, then treats it directly — relieving prostate obstruction, teaching intermittent self-catheterization when the bladder itself is weak, or offering nerve stimulation for selected patients. The goal is to get you off a catheter, not leave you with one. For patients who do need one, the office manages catheter changes, supplies and troubleshooting so problems are handled promptly.
This page is general patient education and is not a substitute for a visit. Every patient is different — Dr. Sosenko will review your history, examination, and test results before recommending treatment.