Children and adults who have non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction can’t completely empty their bladder when they use the bathroom. They may leak pee, pee more than usual or have sudden urges to pee. Potty-trained children may wet their pants during the day. Medications, bladder training and pelvic floor exercises can help.
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Non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction is a condition that prevents you from completely emptying your urinary bladder. “Non-neurogenic” means that the condition doesn’t relate to a problem with your nervous system, while “voiding” and “dysfunction” mean that you’re not peeing as you should.
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Anyone can have non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction. It usually relates to weak bladder muscles, a blockage in your urinary system or habits you develop over time. But it’s more common in potty-trained children between 4 and 6 and females over 40.
Approximately 1 in 5 children between the ages of 4 and 6 have daytime wetting due to non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction. More than 6% of females over 40 have non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction.
Non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction examples include:
Children may also display symptoms or behaviors such as:
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Common causes of non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction include:
In children, dysfunctional elimination syndrome can also cause non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction. Dysfunctional elimination syndrome is when your bladder muscles and nerves don’t work together.
When you can’t empty your bladder, bacteria in your remaining pee can cause an infection, such as a UTI. You may be more likely to develop kidney stones or bladder stones. If the problem is severe, it can lead to kidney damage.
Any problems you have going pee can also have psychological consequences. Many people feel embarrassed, ashamed or insecure because they can’t control when and how they pee. You may also feel like you’re a burden on others if you have to stop activities to deal with non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction symptoms frequently. Serious complications may develop if you avoid socializing with others, including:
A healthcare provider can diagnose non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction. They’ll review your health history and perform a physical exam, which may include a pelvic exam or a digital rectal exam of your prostate.
Your provider may also ask that you keep a bladder diary to keep track of:
They may also order additional tests to help confirm their non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction diagnosis.
A healthcare provider may order one or more of the following tests:
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Non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction tests for children are usually less invasive. A provider may ask you to keep a bladder diary and only recommend a blood test, pee test, ultrasound and certain urodynamic tests.
Non-neurogenic dysfunction voiding treatments vary according to the cause. Treatments may include:
You can retrain your bladder muscles to help them hold pee longer. You go to the bathroom at set times throughout the day to stop your bladder from getting too full, even if you don’t have to pee. A physical therapist or another provider who specializes in pelvic floor problems can help you with bladder training.
A specialized physical therapist can teach you how to relax the muscles in your pelvic floor so you can pee more easily. They may place biofeedback sensors in your vagina or rectum to ensure you’re working the right muscles.
They may also teach you Kegel exercises to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Strong pelvic floor muscles help prevent urinary incontinence and urge incontinence.
Medications that help improve voiding problems include:
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A provider may inject botulinum toxin (Botox®) into your bladder to help relax the muscles and relieve urge incontinence.
Sometimes, your nerves need a boost to encourage your bladder muscles. During PTNS, a provider will place an electrical conductor (electrode) near the tibial nerve in your ankle. They’ll then send mild electrical signals to the electrode, stimulating your tibial nerve. Your tibial nerve sends impulses to the sacral nerves in your pelvis. It prevents your sacral nerves from sending abnormal signals to your urinary sphincter muscles, bladder and pelvic floor muscles so you can regain control over your bladder.
A provider will surgically implant an electrode under the skin just above your butt (buttocks). The electrode sends mild electrical impulses to your sacral nerve through a thin wire (probe) under your skin. The impulses stimulate your bladder muscles to work.
You can insert a urinary catheter into your bladder at regular intervals to drain pee into a bag outside of your body. A provider will show you how to perform self-catheterization.
If other treatment options don’t work, a provider may recommend bladder augmentation surgery (cystoplasty). This procedure makes your bladder larger so it can hold more pee.
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First-line treatments for non-neurogenic overactive bladder usually include:
If behavior changes don’t work, depending on the type of non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction, healthcare providers may recommend medications like:
For children, alpha-blockers and anticholinergic drugs help treat an overactive bladder. Some children can also learn to do pelvic floor exercises.
A healthcare provider may recommend bladder training, as well. For example, they may encourage your child to go to the bathroom at regular intervals and show them the best way to sit on the toilet (posture).
It depends on the treatment. Bladder training and pelvic floor training may start to work in a few weeks or months. Nerve stimulation usually starts to work after a few weeks. Medications should begin to work within a few days or weeks. A healthcare provider will give you a better idea of what to expect.
Talk to a healthcare provider as soon as you first notice problems using the restroom, including:
During your appointment, you may wish to ask:
You can help prevent non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction by making changes to your lifestyle and eating patterns. These may include:
The outlook for non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction is good. Treatment helps improve bladder control for most people. A cystoplasty is rarely necessary to treat non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction.
Neurogenic voiding dysfunction (neurogenic bladder) is a condition that affects your nervous system. That means a problem with your brain, nerves or spinal cord affects your ability to control your bladder.
Non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction can cause life-disrupting symptoms for children and adults. It can make you feel self-conscious or embarrassed. And the thought of an accident may cause you to withdraw from your usual activities. But non-neurogenic voiding dysfunction doesn’t have to affect your quality of life. Talk to a healthcare provider if you or a loved one has signs. They can help identify and treat the cause.
It can be stressful (and painful) to have bladder disorders, like urinary incontinence or cystitis. But the urology providers at Cleveland Clinic are here for you.
Last reviewed on 05/13/2025.
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