What you may notice
A weak or interrupted urine stream, straining, incomplete emptying, urgency or repeated night-time visits to the toilet can disturb sleep and daily life. Note burning, blood in the urine, fluid intake and medicines as well as the pattern of urination.
Prostate around the urine passage
What could cause it?
An enlarged prostate is one possible cause in people who have a prostate. Infection, an overactive bladder, diabetes, a narrowed urine passage, medicines and neurological problems may produce similar symptoms. Prostate or bladder cancer is a less common but important consideration. Urine tests, examination and assessment of flow and residual urine help guide care.
When to contact a doctor
Arrange review for persistent or troublesome symptoms. Inability to pass urine, especially with a painful swollen lower abdomen, needs urgent hospital care. Fever or shivering with urinary symptoms also needs urgent assessment. Visible blood in urine should be investigated even if it happens once. Severe illness, confusion or collapse is an emergency: call 108.
How interventional radiology may help
Lifestyle measures and medicines help many patients; urological procedures or surgery may be appropriate. For selected symptomatic benign prostate enlargement, IR can reduce its blood supply through prostate artery embolisation. It is not a treatment for every urinary symptom or a substitute for excluding infection, retention or cancer.
Further reading: detailed assessment and treatment options
Patient information sources
References are in English.
Educational information, not a diagnosis. The causes listed are examples, not a complete list. Tests and treatment depend on your individual assessment.