Question Title: feels like I always have to urinate

All my life I've had to urinate more than the average person. If I'm drinking beer or water for long periods of time, I may have to go every 15 minutes or so. I'm used to that. A few weeks ago, there was one night where I could not sleep. That night, I got up every 10 minutes for 3 hours and urinated. It wasn't that bad on subsequent nights, but I saw a doctor a few days later anyway.

I told him this was my only symptom. There was no burning, or anything else. He figured I had a prostate infection and prescribed Cipro. He phoned later in the week and told me I did not have an infection, and recommended I see a Urologist.

For the last 2 weeks, I almost always have a need to urinate. Right after I go, it feels like I have to go again. The Urologist examined my bladder after I urinated and said my bladder was empty. He told me that he could not find anything wrong with me. He explained to me that there is a muscle that controls my urge to urinate, and that muscle was probably not relaxing. He gave me some samples of Flomax, and said to try that once a day before bed.

I'm reluctant to try this because, if it works, I really don't like the idea of taking a pill every night. I'm only 32. Is this all in my head? What the heck is wrong with me?

Dear Gary,
Urinary frequency and urgency may be caused by a variety of conditions. Urinary tract infections and bladder cancer can be evaluated by an initial urinalysis. Further testing to look for urethral strictures in a younger man such as yourself would involve a cystourethroscopy (passing a flexible lighted tube through the urethra to visualize an abnormality) or a retrograde urethrogram (xray study of the urethra tube). A pressure flow urodynamic study can measure the size of the bladder, bladder pressures (normally low during bladder filling), and ability to empty (pressures involved and completeness of emptying). Sometimes psychological stress or neurologic problems cause urinary frequency and urgency. It is important to make sure your not drinking caffeinated beverages or excessive amounts of fluids.
A trial of Flomax, if the urinalysis is completely normal may be reasonable. If no relief of symptoms is seen, further testing can be performed.

This information is provided for general medical information purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available through our department at the Henry Ford Hospital and its suburban locations (I-800-653-6568).
Sincerely;
HFHS M.D.-CK
* Keyword: frequency

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