Bladder outflow obstruction (BOO)

CONDITION

Bladder outflow obstruction describes the phenomenon by which the flow of urine from the bladder is obstructed, resulting in difficulty passing urine. This may result in symptoms such as difficulty initiating the flow of urine, passing a slow and intermittent flow, having to strain in order to pass urine, difficulty emptying the bladder and spraying of urine during your flow along with unwanted dribbling at the end or even once finished.

Patients may develop an overactive bladder as a result of long term bladder outflow obstruction and may experience symptoms such as passing urine frequently, urgently and during the night, as well as urinary incontinence

The most common cause of bladder outflow obstruction in men is enlargement of the prostate. A focus of an initial consultation will be to differentiate between prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as the cause of this. Both men and women may also develop bladder outflow obstruction as a result of narrowing in the water pipe (urethra), known as a urethral stricture or stenosis.

A detailed history and careful examination in clinic will usually help to diagnose bladder outflow obstruction. Urine flow tests, urine testing and a post-void bladder scan at the time of your initial appointment help to ascertain the underlying cause of any bladder outflow obstruction this. Sometimes additional tests such as an ultrasound of your kidneys and bladder, flexible cystoscopy or urodynamic investigations may be required.