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Urinary and kidneys

Difficulty passing urine

Also called difficulty passing urine, weak urine stream, peshab ruk ruk, urine retention, dribbling urine

What it meansSafe at homeDo not doSee a doctorWarning signs

What this means

Difficulty starting urine, a weak stream or a feeling of incomplete emptying is common in older men, often due to an enlarged prostate. It should be assessed.

Safe to do at home

  • Do not delay urinating when you feel the urge
  • Reduce fluids and caffeine before bedtime
  • Stay generally active

Please do not do this alone

  • Do not take prostate or bladder medicines on your own
  • Do not ignore worsening difficulty
  • Do not take decongestants that can worsen retention without advice

Book a consultation if

  • The stream is weak or you strain to pass urine
  • You feel the bladder is not emptying fully
  • You wake often at night to pass urine

Get help immediately if

  • Sudden complete inability to pass urine with a painful, full bladder
  • Difficulty passing urine with high fever and back pain

The right doctor for this

Urologist

This is the specialist who sees this symptom most often and can examine you properly. If you are not sure, a general physician is always a safe place to start and will refer you onward if you need it.

Consult a UrologistStart with a General Physician

Get care for this

Doctors and care for difficulty passing urine

Verified Teleprac doctors you can see online or in a clinic, lab tests with home sample collection, and genuine medicines delivered to your door.

Shop Kidney & Bladder CareDelivered home. Please take medicines only as your doctor advises.
See all symptoms

How to use this page. It explains what a symptom usually means, so that you can decide whether to watch it, book a consultation or get help now. It does not diagnose you, it does not know your age, your pregnancy or your other medicines, and it cannot replace being examined. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own.

Consult a doctorUrologist

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Emergency numbers in India

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Where to read more

Public health sources written for patients rather than for doctors, and kept up to date.

Ministry of Health and Family WelfareOfficial Indian health programmes, advisories and public guidanceWorld Health Organization health topicsGlobal fact sheets written for the public, on hundreds of topicsNHS health A to ZPlain language pages on symptoms, conditions, tests and treatmentsMedlinePlusPatient information from the United States National Library of MedicineTele MANASIndia's national mental health support service, free and available all day

Important: Everything in Teleprac patient resources is general health education. It does not give you a diagnosis and it cannot replace examination by a qualified doctor, because it does not know your age, your reports, your pregnancy or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own. Teleprac Healthcare is not liable for decisions made on the basis of this information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital immediately.