Differential Diagnosis for Male Difficulty Urinating
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): This is the most common cause of difficulty urinating in men, especially those over 50. The enlarged prostate gland can compress the urethra, leading to obstructive symptoms such as hesitancy, weak stream, and straining to urinate.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland can cause painful urination, frequent urination, and difficulty starting to urinate.
- Urethral Stricture: A narrowing of the urethra can cause obstructive symptoms similar to BPH, such as weak stream and straining to urinate.
- Neurogenic Bladder: A condition where the nerves that control the bladder are damaged, leading to urinary retention or incontinence.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Prostate Cancer: Although less common than BPH, prostate cancer can cause similar symptoms and is a critical diagnosis to consider, especially in older men.
- Urinary Retention due to Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as anticholinergics and alpha-adrenergic agonists, can cause urinary retention.
- Spinal Cord Injury or Compression: A spinal cord injury or compression can cause neurogenic bladder, leading to difficulty urinating.
Rare Diagnoses
- Bladder Neck Contracture: A rare condition where the bladder neck becomes scarred and narrowed, causing obstructive symptoms.
- Urethral Cancer: A rare type of cancer that can cause difficulty urinating, painful urination, and other urinary symptoms.
- Interstitial Cystitis: A chronic condition that causes bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes difficulty urinating.