Why might males experience starting and stopping during urination?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Starting and stopping during urination in males is often caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate that compresses the urethra and interrupts urine flow. Other common causes include urinary tract infections, bladder stones, urethral strictures, or side effects from medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and certain antidepressants.

Because these symptoms can point to several different conditions—some minor and others requiring prompt treatment—it's important to identify the likely cause before deciding on next steps. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what may be behind your symptoms and guide you toward the right care.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of start-stop urination Learn if start-stop urination needs care today Find out if urinary hesitancy could be serious See OTC options for urinary symptoms Find a urologist for urination problems Understand home remedies for urinary issues Check if start-stop urination needs urgent care

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Explanation

Males may have trouble starting and stopping when they pee for a few reasons. One common reason is a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This means the prostate gland is bigger than normal, which can press on the tube that carries urine out of body, making it hard to start or keep going when urinating.

Another reason could be certain medicines. Some drugs can cause problems with urination, such as making it hard to start peeing or making the flow stop and start.

Main Causes:

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):

The prostate gets bigger and presses on the urinary tube.
This can cause a weak flow or make it hard to start.

Medications:

Some medications can cause urinary retention, which means the bladder has trouble emptying all the way.
This can lead to a stop-and-start pattern when peeing.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, check your symptoms with our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine whether you should talk to a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.

(References)

Mobley D, Feibus A, & Baum N. (2015). Benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary symptoms. Postgraduate medicine, 25823641.
Verhamme KM, Sturkenboom MC, Stricker BH, & Bosch R. (2008). Drug-induced urinary retention: incidence, management .... Drug safety, 18422378.
Kallas HE, Chintanadilok J, Maruenda J, Donahue JL, & Lowenthal DT. (1999). Treatment of nocturia in the elderly. Drugs & aging, 10641954.

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