Frequent Urination
Frequent urination is when you need to pee more than 4-8 times in one day. This condition can be usual in pregnancy, or it may be a symptom of more crucial health conditions such as overactive bladder syndrome, urinary tract infections, prostrate problems, or diabetes, which can lead to nocturia interfering with sleep and quality of life.
Causes
Middle-aged people or those who are pregnant or have an enlarged prostate are more likely to urinate frequently. However, a wide range of health conditions – mild or crucial - can lead to frequent urination.
- Pregnancy - It is common for pregnant women to urinate frequently because the baby takes up space and squishes the bladder. Frequent urination happens more often during the first and third trimesters than in the second trimester when the uterus moves higher, removing the pressure from the bladder. However, it is a usual symptom that eventually fades away after birth. Your doctor may recommend the Kegel exercise to work out your pelvic floor muscles to prevent incontinence.
- Diabetes - People with diabetes – either Type 1 or Type 2 - have excessive glucose in the blood, and the kidneys work overtime to reabsorb the glucose from the renal ultrafiltrate. The excess glucose and extra fluid are passed out through the urine, causing dehydration. Diabetic patients feel thirsty, drink more beverages, and urinate more.
- Urinary tract and bladder problems - Urinary tract infections are the most common cause of frequent urination. Other common causes include overactive bladder syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and urethral opening stenosis, especially in middle-aged mothers some years after baby deliveries. Rarely, bladder cancer may cause frequent urination.
- Prostate conditions - An enlarged prostrate leads to frequent urination by increasing resistance to the outflow of urine. However, benign prostatic hyperplasia is treatable.
Other possible causes of frequent urination are excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption, diuretics, vaginitis, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic radiotherapy, and stroke.
Diagnosis
Your doctor may order
- Urinalysis to check for bacteria and white blood cells, which can reveal if you have urinary tract infections.
- Ultrasound to diagnose if there are any tumors.
- Cystoscopy to examine your bladder particularly needed for the following conditions
- Recurrent cystitis.
- Chronic urinary frequency and dysuria, particularly in middle-aged mothers some years after childbirth.
Treatment
If urinary frequency results from pregnancy, it usually goes away after childbirth. But for other causes, it is recommended to consult a doctor to pinpoint the cause and make a proper treatment plan.
Lifestyle modification
To manage frequent urination without the use of medications, you can:
- Drink alcohol and caffeine beverages in moderation.
- Do not drink beverages before bedtime.
- Regularly exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
- Wear incontinence underwear or a pad to prevent leakage while undergoing treatment.
When should I see a doctor?
When you feel that you urinate more often than usual, you can try to reduce your alcohol and caffeine consumption and see if your condition is better. However, it is recommended talk to your doctor to pinpoint the cause, especially when you develop the following symptoms:
- Frequent urination with dysuria.
- Burning urination.
- Nocturia greater than two times/night.
- Long-term frequent urination or urinary frequency that comes and goes.
- Fever and vomiting.
- Lower back pain and flank pain over your kidneys.
- Blood in the urine.
- Vaginal or penile discharge.
Samples questions that your doctor may ask:
- How much fluid do you drink daily?
- Do you feel that you have been drinking more fluids lately?
- Are you taking any medications?
- Do you usually drink caffeine or alcoholic beverages?
