[Urinary retention in women]

Urinary retention can be either acute or chronic. Its causes can be divided into obstructive, neurologic and other causes. A woman's urinary retention is most commonly due to weakened power of the detrusor muscle. Treatment of urinary retention is determined on an etiological basis. Basic treatment of acute urinary retention is catheterization. In chronic retention, intermittent catheterization is often the most effective option. Neuromodulation may result in prolonged relief for carefully chosen patients. Few patients benefit from pharmacological treatments or surgery.