What is a primary symptom of overflow incontinence?

Overflow incontinence is characterized primarily by chronic urinary retention, which occurs when the bladder cannot fully empty. This retention leads to an over-distended bladder that eventually results in involuntary leakage of urine. The condition often stems from an obstruction or impaired bladder contractility, which prevents effective urination and causes the bladder to exceed its capacity.

Patients might not experience the urgency to void or significant discomfort, as their bladder fills up continuously but does not signal the need to empty in a typical manner. This contrasts with other forms of incontinence, such as urgency incontinence, where a sudden compelling urge to urinate occurs.

Frequent urination at night, or nocturia, while relevant in other types of urinary issues, is not specific to overflow incontinence and can arise from various conditions. Painful urination, known as dysuria, typically indicates inflammation or infection and is not a hallmark of overflow incontinence. Thus, the primary symptom that aligns with the pathophysiology of overflow incontinence is indeed chronic urinary retention.