How Often Should You Pee? Experts Reveal What’s Normal
How often you go pee can be a sign that something is amiss in your body. But how much urinating a day is normal? Here is what the experts say about this bathroom habit.
Normal Frequency of Urination
Urination frequency varies widely between individuals. While some people are going to the bathroom any chance they get, others can go hours without feeling the urge to head to the toilet.
According to the Bladder and Bowel Community, urinating four to 10 times per day is within the normal range. The average person goes pee roughly six to seven times per day. The frequency is determined by a few specific biological factors, namely how effectively the bladder empties its stored urine each time that you go and how much urine the kidneys produce.
While it will not physically harm you if you hold your pee occasionally, it is not a good idea to make this a habit. Doing this too often could lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI) as a result of bacterial growth. Holding your urine too often can also overstretch the bladder, leading to long-term incontinence. This is because the bladder is a muscle that can stretch too much if it is not emptied when it becomes full.
What is more concerning is if you notice that the bladder is holding urine unintentionally. Known in medical circles as urinary retention, this condition puts the kidneys at risk of damage or illness. The bladder serves as a storage for pee. Once the kidneys produce the pee, it moves to the bladder, where it stays until you empty it.
Urinary retention can either be acute or chronic. Acute urinary retention comes on suddenly, while symptoms present more gradually with the chronic variety. This condition can be caused by a myriad of things, including medications, blockages in the urethra, or nerve problems. Urinary retention is also more common in older men.
Why Am I Not Urinating Enough?
There are several causes of infrequent urination. The most obvious explanation is a lack of fluids. Not drinking enough fluids will naturally translate to fewer trips to the bathroom.
The best way to tell if you are properly hydrated is to look at the color of your pee. Urine that is more concentrated because of a lack of fluids will appear darker. Conversely, a well-hydrated person will see clear urine. It is a good idea to increase your fluid intake if you notice that your pee is frequently yellow.
Some people may notice that it is more difficult to pee if they have a UTI. Other symptoms of this type of infection include pain with urination or a feeling of not emptying the bladder right after visiting the bathroom.
Infrequent urination could also signal a more severe bladder problem that necessitates medical attention. This is particularly true if you notice blood in the urine. While some neurological conditions, including Parkinson's or spinal trauma, may impact how often you have to pee, this is not typically the first sign that you would expect to see.
Lastly, not urinating enough can also be a sign of poor kidney function. Other symptoms of this include fatigue, loss of appetite, swelling, or a general feeling of malaise. You will want to seek the advice of a trained health care professional if all of these symptoms accompany the lack of urination.
Conversely, urinating too frequently can also be a sign that something is wrong. The most common concerns associated with frequent urination include an overactive bladder, diabetes, or an enlarged prostate.
As always, it is a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider if something feels off. You know what is normal for your body, making you the best judge if something deserves medical attention.
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