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What Causes The Urge To Urinate?
Question: what causes a strong feeling of needing to urinate just after urinating. I also have pains that come and go throughout the day in the bladder / tummy area. Sometimes these pains feel like menstrual cramps, but that's not it, as I am post menopausal?
Brief Answer:
Some thoughts on this:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
There are several things that could be causing your symptoms. Here are some of my thoughts on this:
1. Overactive/spastic bladder: I think this is what your doctor is thinking in prescribing you oxybutynin. This is an anticholinergic drug that decreases bladder muscle contractions/spasticity. Is it helping?
2. A urinary tract infection. An infection can make the bladder "twitchy" and make you feel like you have to go again. Hopefully a urinalysis with culture was done to rule this out.
3. Pelvic prolapse: This is most common after menopause. The uterine or bladder ligaments can get looser and push down, creating pressure. This is assessed with a bimanual pelvic exam. Treatment is Kegel exercises or surgery.
4. Something pressing on the bladder. This can be from the uterus or if there is a growth that is irritating or pressing not the bladder this can happen. This is much less common, so I would not go to this explanation first.
So, I would
1. See if the oxybutynin is helping. If not ...
2. Give a urine specimen for urinalysis and culture
3. Have the doctor do a good bimanual exam to see if he feels any prolapse. While his/her 2 fingers are in the vagina, you should bear down as this will allow the doctor to feel if there is prolapse.
4. Depending on the above, further evaluation can include a pelvic ultrasound, or a consult with a urologist.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification. Best wishes to you.
Some thoughts on this:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
There are several things that could be causing your symptoms. Here are some of my thoughts on this:
1. Overactive/spastic bladder: I think this is what your doctor is thinking in prescribing you oxybutynin. This is an anticholinergic drug that decreases bladder muscle contractions/spasticity. Is it helping?
2. A urinary tract infection. An infection can make the bladder "twitchy" and make you feel like you have to go again. Hopefully a urinalysis with culture was done to rule this out.
3. Pelvic prolapse: This is most common after menopause. The uterine or bladder ligaments can get looser and push down, creating pressure. This is assessed with a bimanual pelvic exam. Treatment is Kegel exercises or surgery.
4. Something pressing on the bladder. This can be from the uterus or if there is a growth that is irritating or pressing not the bladder this can happen. This is much less common, so I would not go to this explanation first.
So, I would
1. See if the oxybutynin is helping. If not ...
2. Give a urine specimen for urinalysis and culture
3. Have the doctor do a good bimanual exam to see if he feels any prolapse. While his/her 2 fingers are in the vagina, you should bear down as this will allow the doctor to feel if there is prolapse.
4. Depending on the above, further evaluation can include a pelvic ultrasound, or a consult with a urologist.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification. Best wishes to you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have had a ct scan without contrast... normal.... cystostomy...(bladder scope) normal he did do contrast when I was under... normal. I had blood in my urine the ct scan did find a kidney stone. blood work comes back normal. I have been told I have prolaps before. do you think this could have become worse and is causing this. issue. the meds have decreased the pain I would get in my bladder after urination. but the pressure to urinate is the one that is not getting better. even feels worse sometimes to me.
additionally i just feel alot of pressure in my abdomen and sometimes even vaginal pressure. sitting is worse.. standing and laying down seem to be fine most times. just had a pap and pelvic that was fine as well.
I do have a folllow up appt. with my urologist in2 weeks I will have to ask about the prolapse.
additionally i just feel alot of pressure in my abdomen and sometimes even vaginal pressure. sitting is worse.. standing and laying down seem to be fine most times. just had a pap and pelvic that was fine as well.
I do have a folllow up appt. with my urologist in2 weeks I will have to ask about the prolapse.
Brief Answer:
Sounds like you have had a thorough evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Yes, when you see the urologist, do ask about the prolapse. To check, you should bear down while he/she has two fingers in the vagina.
I'd also ask if he/she thinks the kidney stone is contributing to the problem. Some kidney stones are small and do not cause symptoms, others can cause urinary tract symptoms.
Sounds like you have had a thorough evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Yes, when you see the urologist, do ask about the prolapse. To check, you should bear down while he/she has two fingers in the vagina.
I'd also ask if he/she thinks the kidney stone is contributing to the problem. Some kidney stones are small and do not cause symptoms, others can cause urinary tract symptoms.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
sometimes I do see black peppery type flecks in the toliet after urination. not that often but I do see them now and again. I should imagine these to be irritating to the tract. I feel I have tried to do my due diligence. I hope I have done enough
Brief Answer:
Black peppery flecks
Detailed Answer:
I am not sure what the black peppery flecks are. One possibility is that it is left over from the contrast you had during the cystoscopy. You might mention this to your urologist as that is not normal to see in urine.
Black peppery flecks
Detailed Answer:
I am not sure what the black peppery flecks are. One possibility is that it is left over from the contrast you had during the cystoscopy. You might mention this to your urologist as that is not normal to see in urine.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I was told from other people with stones it is called gravel my dad had that with his stones
Brief Answer:
If you have urinary gravel, that could be causing some of your symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Urinary gravel is tinier versions of stones. And if you have that in your ureter or bladder, it would explain some of the twitchy bladder symptoms.
If you have urinary gravel, that could be causing some of your symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Urinary gravel is tinier versions of stones. And if you have that in your ureter or bladder, it would explain some of the twitchy bladder symptoms.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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