Rigi10™ Malleable Penile Prosthesis
Also Known As
Urgent urination, Urinary frequency or urgency, Urgency-frequency syndrome, Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, Urge syndrome
Definition
Urinary frequency is the need to urinate many times during the day, at night (nocturia), or both but in normal or less-than-normal volumes.1 It is distinguished from polyuria, which is increased urine output of > 3 L/day.1 Frequency may be accompanied by a sensation of an urgent need to void (urinary urgency).1 Abnormally frequent urination (e.g., once every hour or two) is termed urinary frequency.2 Urinary frequency usually results from disorders of the lower genitourinary tract. Inflammation of the bladder, urethra, or both causes a sensation of the need to urinate. However, this sensation is not relieved by emptying the bladder, so once the bladder is emptied, patients continue trying to void but pass only small volumes of urine.1
Clinical Context
Urinary frequency is a common presenting symptom in both primary care and urology settings. It may be caused by various conditions affecting the lower urinary tract.1 The most common causes include urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are the most common cause in children and women2,4, and prostate disease, which is a common cause in men aged > 50 years.1,4
Patient selection for evaluation depends on symptom severity, associated symptoms, and risk factors. Dysuria suggests frequency is due to urinary tract infection or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).1 Prior pelvic surgery suggests incontinence.1 Weak urine stream, nocturia, or both suggests BPH.1 Urinary frequency in an otherwise healthy young patient may be due to excessive intake of alcohol or caffeinated beverages.1 Gross hematuria suggests UTI and calculi in younger patients and genitourinary cancer in older patients.1
Diagnostic evaluation typically includes urinalysis and culture to detect infection and hematuria.1 Cystoscopy, cystometry, and urethrography can be done to diagnose cystitis, bladder outlet obstruction, and cystocele.1 In older men, prostate-specific antigen level determination, ultrasonography, and prostate biopsy may be required to differentiate BPH from prostate cancer.1
Treatment varies by cause. UTIs are treated with appropriate antibiotics. BPH may require medications or surgical intervention. Lifestyle modifications, such as reducing caffeine intake, can help manage urinary frequency in healthy people.1,4