What might cause a urine stream to start and stop intermittently?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

A urine stream that starts and stops—known as intermittent urination—can result from several causes, including certain medications like tramadol, which may impair bladder muscle function, or infections such as genital herpes that affect nerves controlling urination. Other potential causes include urinary tract infections, an enlarged prostate, bladder stones, or nerve-related conditions.

Because intermittent urination can stem from many different sources, ranging from mild to serious, identifying the underlying cause is essential to getting the right treatment. The fastest way to narrow down possibilities based on your specific symptoms is to take a free, instant, online symptom check. It's a smart first step to understand what may be happening and confidently plan your next move.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover why urine stream starts and stops See if your urine stream means infection Find serious causes of interrupted urine flow Find OTC relief for urinary symptoms Find a doctor for urinary problems Learn home remedies for urine stream issues Check if stop-start urination needs care

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

When the urine stream starts and stops, it can be due to different reasons. Some medicines, like tramadol, can make it hard for the bladder to work properly, causing the urine to not flow smoothly. This is called bladder dysfunction and can lead to a stop-and-start urine stream.

Infections can also cause this problem. For example, herpes virus infections might lead to urinary retention, where the bladder doesn't empty completely, causing the stream to stop and start.

Possible Causes:

Medications: Certain drugs can affect how well the bladder works. Tramadol is one such medication that can lead to bladder issues.
Infections: Viral infections, such as those caused by the herpes virus, can also lead to problems with urination.

If you experience these symptoms, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional who can help determine the cause and suggest the best treatment. You can start by taking a free symptom checker test to better understand what might be causing your symptoms.

(References)

Verhamme KM, Sturkenboom MC, Stricker BH, & Bosch R. (2008). Drug-induced urinary retention: incidence, management .... Drug safety, 18422378.
Meyboom RH, Brodie-Meijer CC, Diemont WL, & van Puijenbroek EP. (1999). Bladder dysfunction during the use of tramadol. Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety, 15073888.
Yamanishi T, Yasuda K, Sakakibara R, Hattori T, Uchiyama T, Minamide M, & Ito H. (1998). Urinary retention due to herpes virus infections. Neurourology and urodynamics, 9829425.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.