Do you feel the need to pee more often than before? As a urologist, I hear about this from a lot of my patients. Having to go to the bathroom a lot — frequent urination — can be a hassle when it wakes you up at night or gets in the way of your plans.
In many cases, I’m able to reassure my patients that their change in bathroom habits isn’t caused by a medical problem. But there are times when seeing a doctor about frequent urination is important.
What’s normal and what’s not?
When I talk to my patients about frequent urination, I explain that it’s often about what’s unusual or bothersome for you. But in general, most adults urinate about eight times per day. So if you urinate more often than that or more than once at night, you might have frequent urination.
Nonmedical causes of frequent urination
Many things can cause or contribute to excessive urination, including:
Increased fluid intake. Drinking more fluids naturally leads to more bathroom trips. Some people overconsume water when aiming for 8 glasses a day.
Caffeine and alcohol. Both can increase the need to pee by irritating the bladder, increasing urine output as a diuretic and disrupting your sleep.
Stress. Stress can increase bladder activity in some people.
Temperature. Yes, even cold weather may make people pee more — a bodily reaction called cold diuresis.
Age-related changes. With age, your bladder might become less elastic and able to hold less urine. As a result, you might have to empty it more often.
Medications. Some medications, such as diuretics which increase your urine output, can cause frequent urination.
Pregnancy. It’s normal to urinate more during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. This is due to hormonal changes and the baby pressing on the bladder.
Reducing how often you go
In many cases, simple adjustments in your daily habits can help reduce how often you pee. Here are some strategies I often suggest to my patients:
Don’t overhydrate. Your daily water needs can vary based on your activity and other factors. Drink up but follow your thirst — and check your urine. It should be pale, not dark. If it’s dark, you’re probably not drinking enough water.
Cut back on alcohol and caffeinated coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Try reducing or eliminating these things for a few weeks to see if it helps reduce how often you urinate.
Skip the evening thirst-quencher. Avoiding beverages a couple of hours before bedtime can reduce nighttime bathroom trips. Try to spread out your drinking during the day instead of catching up at night.
Discuss your medications with your doctor. If a medicine you’re taking is making you go more often, your doctor may have you take it at a different time to reduce your urinary frequency.
Manage stress. Since anxious feelings may trigger increased bathroom trips, try stress-relief strategies like regular exercise, engaging in hobbies, or deep breathing.
Aim for a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce bladder pressure.
Try timed voiding. Going on a set schedule and gradually extending the intervals between bathroom visits can help train your bladder to hold more urine longer.
Medical causes of frequent urination
Although frequent urination is often harmless, it can be a sign of an underlying issue. Here are some of the more common medical problems that can cause frequent urination:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are bacterial infections that can also cause a burning sensation when urinating.
Diabetes. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes cause glucose (sugar) to build up in the bloodstream. Urinating frequently is how the body gets rid of that extra sugar.
Enlarged prostate. Frequent bathroom trips — especially at night — can warn of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, a common problem for men starting in their 50s.
Overactive bladder. With this condition, you may have both frequent urination and have a sudden, uncontrollable urge to go. And you might leak a little urine (incontinence).
Nerve/neurologic issues. Conditions that affect the brain or spine (link a stroke or spinal cord injury) can affect bladder control and cause frequent urination.
Sleep disorders. Issues like sleep apnea can cause more frequent urination at nighttime.
When to see a doctor
If the number of times you’re going to the bathroom is causing you concern, it’s probably worth looking into. See a doctor as soon as possible if peeing a lot is suddenly a new problem for you or if it comes with any of these signs or symptoms:
- Blood in your urine
- Pain in your lower back or either side of your abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever or chills
Treatments for frequent urination depend on the cause. For instance, if you have a UTI, we can treat it with antibiotics. If BPH is causing you to pee more, we have medications and procedures for that.
Take control of your bathroom patterns
The specialists at Temple Health are ready to help if frequent urination persists or concerns you. To make an appointment with a Temple urologist, call 800-TEMPLE-MED or request an appointment online.
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