Bladder Outlet Obstruction Overview
Learn About Bladder Outlet Obstruction
Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a blockage at the base of the bladder. It reduces or stops the flow of urine into the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body.
BOO; Lower urinary tract obstruction; Prostatism; Urinary retention - BOO
This condition is common in aging men. It is often caused by an enlarged prostate. Bladder stones and bladder cancer are also more commonly seen in men than women. As a man ages, the chances of getting these diseases increase greatly.
Other common causes of BOO include:
- Pelvic tumors (cervix, prostate, uterus, rectum)
- Narrowing of the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder (urethra), due to scar tissue or certain birth defects
Less common causes include:
- Cystocele (when the bladder falls into the vagina)
- Foreign objects in the bladder or urethra
- Urethral or pelvic muscle spasms
- Inguinal (groin) hernia
The symptoms of BOO may vary, but can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Continuous feeling of a full bladder
- Frequent urination
- Pain during urination (dysuria)
- Problems starting urination (urinary hesitancy)
- Slow, uneven urine flow, at times being unable to urinate
- Straining to urinate
- Urinary tract infection
- Waking up at night to urinate (nocturia)
- Urinary incontinence
Treatment of BOO depends on its cause. A tube, called a catheter, is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. This is done to relieve the blockage.
Sometimes, a catheter is placed through the belly area into the bladder to drain the bladder. This is called a suprapubic tube.
Most often, you will need surgery for long-term cure of BOO. However, many of the diseases that cause this problem can be treated with medicines. Talk to your provider about possible treatments.
The Regents Of The University Of California
Victor Nitti is an Urologist in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Nitti is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bladder Outlet Obstruction. His top areas of expertise are Urinary Incontinence, Stress Urinary Incontinence, Bladder Outlet Obstruction, Ureteral Reconstruction, and Bladder Reconstruction.
Loyola University Medical Center
Kevin Mcvary is an Urologist in Maywood, Illinois. Dr. Mcvary is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bladder Outlet Obstruction. His top areas of expertise are Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Bladder Outlet Obstruction, Prostatectomy, and Aquablation. Dr. Mcvary is currently accepting new patients.
New York University
Benjamin Brucker is an Urologist in New York, New York. Dr. Brucker is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bladder Outlet Obstruction. His top areas of expertise are Urinary Incontinence, Stress Urinary Incontinence, Bladder Outlet Obstruction, Prostatectomy, and Bladder Reconstruction.
Most causes of BOO can be cured if diagnosed early. However, if the diagnosis or treatment is delayed, this can cause permanent damage to the bladder or kidneys.
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of BOO.
Summary: Histologically, BPH is a benign proliferative process involving both epithelial and stromal elements and is characterised by progressive enlargement of the prostate. Symptom complex including increased frequency of urination, sudden feeling of urge to urinate, nocturia, difficulty in urinating, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, decreased flow rate and intermittent urination are called...
Summary: Lower urinary symptoms (LUTS) affect older men and their frequency and severity increase with age. According to Berry et al., the histological diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) increases from 25% in the group age between 40 to 49 years to 80% in the group age between 70 to 79 years (1). However, this hyperplasia can lead to a bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to benign prost...
Published Date: May 17, 2024
Published By: Sovrin M. Shah, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Capogrosso P, Salonia A, Montorsi F. Evaluation and nonsurgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 145.