Acute urinary retention is often a complication of prostate enlargement. Acute urinary retention occurs when you experience a sudden need to urinate but cannot pass urine; this condition may be very serious and should always be treated with emergency medical help. If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, you should call 999:
- Suddenly not being able to urinate
- Severe pain in the lower abdomen
- Inflammation of the bladder (which will be tangible)
If the urine cannot be passed it may be passed back up to the kidneys, which can be very serious.