Low Urine Output

About the Symptom

Reduction in the usual amount of urine. For adults, this is less than 400-500mL of urine in 24 hours.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Decrease in urine volume

Possible Causes

Generally, Low urine output can be related to:

• Drug-Induced Urinary Retention

  This condition occurs when patients have trouble urinating after taking specific medications. Middle-aged men with an enlarged prostate are more susceptible to this condition.

• Urethral Stricture

  The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder and allows urine to leave the body. A urethral stricture is when the urethra is narrowed, restricting the flow of urine from the bladder. This condition usually occurs due to inflammation or the presence of scar tissue. Pelvic fractures and an enlarged prostate can also cause urethral strictures.

• Hyperemesis Gravidarum

  A severe form of morning sickness, where patients have significant vomiting and are typically unable to keep much food or fluids down. They can lose weight and become very dehydrated. The exact cause is unclear, but it's thought to be related to levels of pregnancy hormones (β-hCG and estrogen). Early treatment of morning sickness can help prevent progression to this severe form. There is typically no harm to the developing baby from this condition, but it is important to maintain normal hydration and weight in the mom.

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Low urine output may be related to these serious diseases:

• Urinary Retention

  Urinary retention is a condition where the bladder cannot empty completely or at all during urination. It can be acute—a sudden inability to urinate. It can also be chronic — a gradual inability to fully empty the bladder of urine. Urinary retention may be caused by a host of different ailments.

• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
• Acute Glomerulonephritis
• Dehydration
• Renal Infarction
• Cyclic Vomiting

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Have you been experiencing difficulty urinating or producing less urine?
• When did you first notice having difficulty urinating or producing less urine?
• Has it been over 12 hours since you last passed urine?
• Is your urine output slightly decreased?
• Are you urinating less than usual?

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