A member asked:
can i die from urinary retention if i ignore it?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Dennis Higginbotham answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Probably not: The bladder could potentially rupture - that could result in death if not addressed promptly. More likely is that your bladder becomes permanently damaged by the over distention, requiring catheters to drain your bladder.
5998 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Miguel Cano answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Not quickly: But you'll be miserable in pain, leakage, infections, & and lose your bladder function if it is not fixed. Why would you ignore it? This is not normal and you should see a uro-gyn or urologist to see if it's medication related, injury, neurological, or obstructive. Please get this fixed. You don't want to damage your bladder & possibly kidneys or have to rely on catheters for life.
5996 viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. George Klauber answered
Specializes in Pediatric Urology
Agonizing death: You will be in severe discomfort/pain with complete urinary retention unless your bladder is neurogenic and devoid of sensation. Retention due to prostatic obstruction, bladder stone or tumor can kill you secondary to uremia after kidneys stop filtering waste products from your body. Blood potassium can rise and cause cardiac arrest, progressive uremia can lead to coma. Catheterization is better!
5996 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Similar questions
Cambodia
A 22-year-old male asked:
What cause death in urinary retention if left untreated? Thank
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Richard Sarle answered
Urology 22 years experience
Urinary retention: While it is very painful, death from urinary retention would be rare. If it did happen it work likely be related to infection, kidney failure or both.
3785 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Sep 21, 2017
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