Articles · Prostate
Why is it hard to start peeing?
In men, an enlarged prostate is a common cause. It squeezes the urine channel.
The usual cause
In men, an enlarged prostate is a common cause. It squeezes the urine channel.
Other causes
Nerve problems, scar tissue, and some medicines can also do it.
Get checked
Get checked if you often wait or strain to start.
Book a visit with Advanced Urology today.
Questions to bring to your visit
- How long do I usually wait before the stream starts?
- Which medicines am I on right now?
What happens at your visit with us?
You may be asked to pee into a flow meter and then have a quick ultrasound to see what is left in your bladder. Write down the medicines you take; some cold and allergy remedies can make it harder to get started. A urine test is common too.
When should I call us?
Call us if you often wait or push to get going, or if your stream has slowed over time. The visit usually includes a history, a urine test and, often, a flow test and a bladder ultrasound in this building. If you cannot pass urine at all, go to an emergency room now, or call 911.
How do our urologists approach this?
Our urologists consider the prostate, the bladder and the urethra to find the cause. Treatment may be a change in medicines, a prostate medicine, or a procedure if the channel has narrowed. If an enlarged prostate is the reason, our urologists explain each option step by step.
Our urologists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners see adults from Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Crabapple and Mountain Park at our Alpharetta / Roswell office.
Related video
Dr. Marc Greenstein of Advanced Urology on an enlarged prostate (BPH):
Related reading from our team
Related care: enlarged prostate questions, answered by our Alpharetta urologists.
Read more from Advanced Urology: Understanding BPH · Enlarged prostate (BPH)
For education, not medical advice. Every treatment has risks and benefits. Emergency? Call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Whenever you’re ready, our Alpharetta / Roswell team would be glad to hear from you.