There are a number of reasons why a person might need to urinate more often. It can decrease their productivity and cause inconvenience, interrupting their sleep cycle and any other important habits they have.

The body uses urination to remove the waste fluids that appear when we drink water. Heavy urination -– which typically features a mix of water, substances like uric acid and urea, and toxins -– occurs when the bladder is at full capacity. Once this level has been reached, the person will expel it from their body.

On average, people urinate six to seven times a day. A person is considered to have urinary frequency when they need to urinate more than seven times in a 24-hour period if they've consumed about 2 liters of fluid that day. Many people live with this condition. Though there are often simple causes for urinary frequency, it can sometimes indicate an underlying medical issue that needs to be treated as soon as possible. Early identification of the problem can help lead to timely treatment, which prevents potential complications.

What is frequent urination?

Inconvenient and disruptive to your daily schedule, frequent urination is when you need to urinate many times throughout a 24-hour period. Multiple needs to go can be a symptom of many different conditions and can have a wide variety of solutions. At some points in your life, like during pregnancy, you may need to pee more often than usual. To make sure this exceeds mere inconvenience, it should always be discussed with your physician for advice and treatment. However, frequent urination can be linked to other health issues that normally wouldn't interrupt your life and won’t fade over time. It can also be a symptom of more serious conditions like diabetes, overactive bladder syndrome, UTIs or prostate problems. Needing to urinate frequently can even leave you restless at night - hence the name nocturia (that’s where the 'waking up frequently during the night' comes from).

Frequent Urination Causes

There are many different potential causes of frequent urination. Among the most frequent causes are:

A urinary tract infection (UTI): A UTI is a bacterial infection that can occur in any part of the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. UTIs are one of the most common causes of frequent urination.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy can cause an increase in urine production as well as an urge to urinate more frequently due to the pressure of the growing uterus on the bladder.
Diabetes: Diabetes can cause increased urine production as well as increased thirst, which may lead to more frequent trips to the bathroom.
Enlarged Prostate: The prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra and can become enlarged with age. An enlarged prostate can put pressure on the urethra and cause difficulty urinating or a need to urinate more frequently.
Overactive Bladder: Overactive bladder is a condition in which the detrusor muscle, which controls urine flow from the bladder, contracts too often or uncontrollably. This can lead to urinary urgency and frequency.

Frequent Urination Symptoms

If you find yourself needing to go to the bathroom more frequently than usual, it could be a sign of a larger issue. Here are some common symptoms associated with frequent urination:

-An urge to urinate that is strong and difficult to control: If you find yourself needing to urinate more frequently than usual, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Other UTI symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating, cloudy or bloody urine, and pelvic pain. If you think you might have a UTI, see your doctor for a diagnosis.
-A feeling of urgency when urinating: If you're frequently urinating, there's a chance you may feel an urgency to do so. This feeling of urgency can be caused by several things, including an infection in your urinary tract or bladder. If you're experiencing this symptom, it's important to see a doctor so they can determine the cause and treat it accordingly. Urinary infections are often treated with antibiotics, so it's important to get them diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Frequent trips to the bathroom, often at night: If you find yourself running to the bathroom frequently, especially at night, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. Frequent urination can be a symptom of many different conditions, from diabetes to pregnancy. If you’re concerned about your frequent trips to the bathroom, talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out what’s causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
Inability to hold urine for long periods of time: There are many potential causes for an inability to hold urine for long periods of time. One common cause is an infection of the urinary tract, which can lead to inflammation and irritation of the bladder. Other potential causes include certain medications, pregnancy, and changes in diet or lifestyle.
Pain or burning sensation when urinating: If you're experiencing a pain or burning sensation when urinating, it's important to seek medical attention as this could be a sign of a urinary tract infection.

Treatment of a UTI with Medications or Surgery

There are a number of different ways to treat a UTI, depending on the severity of the infection. For mild infections, your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. more severe infections may require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Surgery can be required in some circumstances to remove the affected tissue.

No matter what course of treatment is necessary, it is important to finish the entire course of medication prescribed by your doctor, even if you are feeling better. Stopping treatment early can allow the infection to return and potentially become resistant to the medications used to treat it.

How do you Prevent Frequent Urination?

There are many things you can do to prevent frequent urination. If you have a urinary tract infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Other treatments include:

Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
Going to the bathroom when you first feel the urge to urinate
Doing Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles around your urethra

If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels under control can help reduce frequent urination. If you’re overweight, losing weight can also reduce frequency. In some cases, medication may be necessary to control frequent urination.

Conclusion

If you're experiencing frequent urination symptoms, it's important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. In many cases, frequent urination is simply a result of drinking too much fluid or caffeine throughout the day. However, if you're also experiencing pain or burning during urination, this could be a sign of a more serious infection. Either way, it's best to get checked out by a professional to ensure that everything is okay.