It’s not always easy to talk about. But if you’re a man having trouble when you pee, you’re not alone. Many men notice changes in how they urinate, especially as they get older.
Maybe your stream is slow, you feel like you’re not emptying your bladder all the way or it takes a while to get started. These symptoms may be tied to prostate changes, stress, dehydration or lifestyle factors. They are common, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them.
What can make it hard for men to pee?
“There can be many reasons men may have trouble urinating,” said Curtis Crylen, MD, a urologist with Banner Health. Some are temporary and harmless. Others may be a sign of a health condition.
“Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common cause of urinary problems particularly as men get older, in their 50s and 60s,” Dr. Crylen said. BPH is an enlarged prostate, which is common as men age. It can press against your urethra and make it harder to pee.
Other causes of trouble peeing include:
- Dehydration: If you’re not drinking enough fluids, you may not feel the urge to go as often.
- Medications: Some blood pressure medicines and allergy or cold medications, like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or phenylephrine can affect urination. “Men who are having difficulty with urination should use these medicines carefully and should be aware that, if they are taking them regularly, they could be contributing to their problems,” Dr. Crylen said.
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): Though UTIs are less common in men than in women, they can still happen.
- Nerve problems: Conditions like diabetes or spinal injuries can affect the nerves that control your bladder.
“There are other less common causes of difficulty with urination, such as scar tissue or narrowing in the urethra, bladder stones or problems where the bladder does not squeeze to empty the urine effectively,” Dr. Crylen said.
If peeing becomes hard or uncomfortable, it’s important to pay attention to your body and make a few changes that might help.
What can help you pee more easily at home?
Here are some things you can try on your own:
- Relax in the bathroom: Try not to rush. Take your time and stay calm.
- Double void: After you go, wait a minute and try again. This can help fully empty your bladder.
- Don’t push or strain: Pushing too hard can cause more problems. Instead, try deep breathing and focus on relaxing your pelvic muscles.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol: Coffee, tea and alcohol can irritate your bladder or make symptoms worse. “If you are drinking a pot of coffee or more than two alcoholic beverages a day, you may want to cut back and drink more water instead,” Dr. Crylen said.
- Stay hydrated: Drink enough water throughout the day but avoid large amounts all at once — especially before bed.
If you have diabetes, you may have more trouble peeing when your blood sugar is high. “In that case, working with your primary care doctor or endocrinologist to get good control of your blood sugar and avoiding sugary drinks or snacks in the evening may help decrease your urinary symptoms,” Dr. Crylen said.
When should you see a health care provider about trouble peeing?
You don’t need to panic if you have occasional trouble peeing. But some symptoms mean it’s time to get help.
“If your symptoms are interfering with your life, you should talk to your doctor,” Dr. Crylen said. That could mean:
- Having to look for a bathroom everywhere you go
- Peeing more than every one to two hours
- Avoiding things you like to do because you are worried you may not make it to the bathroom in time
You should also see a doctor for peeing problems like:
- Trouble starting to pee that lasts more than a few days
- Difficulty controlling your urine
- Having accidents or wetting the bed
- A weak or slow urine stream
- Feeling like your bladder doesn’t empty all the way
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Blood in your urine
- Fever or chills
- You can’t urinate at all (go to the ER right away — this is an emergency)
Most urinary issues in men are treatable, especially when they’re caught early. “We have many good options for treatment if symptoms are bothersome. Some can even be started by primary care physicians, so men should talk with their doctors,” Dr. Crylen said.
Medications are usually the first-line treatment. “Many men get relief with these, and they can be an excellent long-term solution,” Dr. Crylen said.
“We also have many minimally invasive surgical treatments available if men are not getting good results with medication, having side effects or prefer not to take medication. I can’t tell you how many men come in after a procedure for enlarged prostate saying, ‘I wish I had done this sooner! I didn’t know that I could pee like I was 20 years old again!’”
How can Banner Health help?
If you’re having trouble peeing, Banner Health is here to support you. Our urology specialists can help you find out what’s going on and recommend a treatment that works for you. Whether it’s managing an enlarged prostate, adjusting your medications or exploring other causes, we’ll guide you through your options.
Don’t wait — schedule an appointment with a Banner Health urologist today.
