Urology in Lagos
Urinary Retention (Unable to Pass Urine)
The signs, what causes it, and treatment in Lagos from ₦2,400,000, with the full price shown before you book or pay.
Signs to look for
Urinary Retention (Unable to Pass Urine)
- Being unable to pass urine at all, despite a strong urge
- Pain and swelling in the lower tummy
- A weak stream, straining, and feeling you never quite empty
- Passing small amounts very often, or leaking, in slow retention
- Waking many times at night to pass urine
Published Mezo prices. Each links to what the price covers.
Urinary retention means the bladder cannot empty. Sudden (acute) retention is being unable to pass urine at all, with a painful, swollen lower tummy, and it needs a catheter the same day. Slow (chronic) retention builds up over months: the bladder never fully empties, and it can quietly cause back pressure on the kidneys. In men the commonest cause is an enlarged prostate, followed by a urethral stricture. Constipation, some cold and allergy medicines, alcohol, an operation or a nerve problem can tip a man or woman into retention. A catheter relieves it; the cause is then treated.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Being unable to pass urine at all, despite a strong urge
- Pain and swelling in the lower tummy
- A weak stream, straining, and feeling you never quite empty
- Passing small amounts very often, or leaking, in slow retention
- Waking many times at night to pass urine
- Swollen legs, tiredness or confusion if the kidneys are affected
When to See a Doctor
Go to an emergency department now if you cannot pass urine and your lower tummy is painful or swollen. Do not wait until morning, and do not take herbal mixtures to make urine flow. Go straight away too if difficulty passing urine comes with back pain and new weakness or numbness in the legs, which can mean pressure on the spinal nerves. See a urologist within days if your stream is weak, you strain, or you feel you never empty, because slow retention can damage the kidneys without pain.
Treatment options
- A catheter to drain the bladder, through the urethra or through the lower tummy
- Blood tests of kidney function and a scan of the bladder and kidneys
- Tablets to relax the prostate, and a trial without the catheter
- TURP or another prostate operation when the prostate is the cause
- Urethrotomy or urethroplasty when a stricture is the cause
- Treating constipation, stopping a medicine that caused it, or managing a nerve problem
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Will I have a catheter for ever?
Usually not. Many men pass urine again after a few days on tablets with the catheter out. If not, an operation on the prostate or the stricture usually lets the catheter come out for good.
Can a woman get urinary retention?
Yes, though it is less common. Causes include constipation, a prolapse, a pelvic mass, childbirth, an operation and some medicines. The emergency advice is the same.
Why did a cold medicine stop me passing urine?
Some decongestants and antihistamines tighten the bladder outlet or weaken the bladder. In a man with an enlarged prostate this can be enough to cause retention. Tell the pharmacist if you have prostate trouble.
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Urology in Lagos →Urology in Abuja →Urology in Port Harcourt →Urology in Jos →Urology in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Prostate enlargement. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 3 November 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.