Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequent urination is when you urinate more often than usual. This may happen during the day or at night.
While the number of times a person urinates a day is highly variable, if a person needs to urinate more than seven times in a day and has only consumed 2 liters (68 fluid ounces, 4 pints, or 2 quarts) of fluid, this may indicate frequent urination.
This article will discuss the symptoms of frequent urination, possible causes, treatment options, diagnosis, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Symptoms of Frequent Urination
Every person is different, and what is considered a normal urine frequency varies between people.
The average person’s urinary frequency is typically between six to seven times within 24 hours.A person can have a “normal” urinary frequency between four to 10 times a day, as long as the person is healthy and feels happy with that level of frequency.
If a person drinks roughly 2 liters of liquid daily and needs to urinate more than seven times a day, they may have a frequency issue.Those experiencing frequent urination may find they need to urinate more than usual and take many trips to the bathroom during the day or the night.
Having to urinate frequently during the night is callednocturia.
How Many Times Should I Pee in One Day?
Causes of Frequent Urination
Numerous factors might cause frequent urination, and some are more common than others.
Common causes of frequent urination include:
Inneurogenic bladder, nerves to the bladder (the organ that stores and releases urine) have been damaged due to illness or injury. This may cause the muscles in the bladder not to work properly. In some cases, the muscles are overactive and squeeze the bladder too frequently. This results in more frequent urination. It can be due to issues with the bladder muscle directly or may be related to spine issues.
Caffeine is one of many potential bladder irritants. This can cause an increased urinary frequency.
An enlarged prostate can cause problems with the bladder. If the prostate is too big, it may block or irritate the bladder, causing increased urine frequency. This can sometimes cause urination every two to three hours.
Vaginitis causes thevaginaorvulva(external genitalia) to become swollen or irritated. This can cause pain and the desire to urinate more frequently.
Other possible causes of frequent urination include:
What Medications Can Cause Frequent Urination
Some medicines may cause frequent urination.
Diuretics(water pills) are medications that promote increased production of urine in the kidneys. This can cause frequent urination and an overactive bladder orstress incontinence(leakage of urine when movement puts pressure on the bladder).
Sedatives or muscle relaxants likeValium (diazepam)can also cause frequent urination.
How to Treat Frequent Urination
Treating frequent urination is focused on treating the underlying cause. This will vary based on the problem. Some treatments and coping strategies include:
There is a stepwise plan for managing overactive bladder with incontinence with frequency or urgency (urge incontinence). This includes dietary changes, medications such as Oxytrol (oxybutynin) orGemtesa (vibegron), and other interventions.
Urge incontinence is differentfrom stress incontinence (leakage, whichoccurs with coughing, sneezing, or heavy lifting) which has different management.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Frequent Urination?
They may order tests to assist them in their diagnosis. These may include:
See a healthcare provider whenever frequent urination is affecting your quality of life. The causes need specific treatment, so getting a diagnosis is the first step.
If you have frequent urination and any of the following symptoms, you should contact a healthcare provider immediately:
Summary
Frequent urination involves a person urinating more than they usually would. The average person urinates between four to 10 times a day, but this varies between people. A person who consumes 2 liters of water daily but urinates more than seven times may be dealing with frequent urination.
A Word From Verywell
Needing to urinate frequently may be uncomfortable or even embarrassing. If you find yourself taking more trips to the bathroom than normal, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider. They will be able to help identify the cause of the frequent urination and help you treat it.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCauses of frequent urination include nerve problems, infections, caffeine intake, an enlarged prostate, medications, and pregnancy.Anxiety is believed to be a possible cause of frequent urination.Treatment of frequent urination is based on the cause. It is important to see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. Possible treatment options include lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.
Causes of frequent urination include nerve problems, infections, caffeine intake, an enlarged prostate, medications, and pregnancy.
Anxiety is believed to be a possible cause of frequent urination.
Treatment of frequent urination is based on the cause. It is important to see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. Possible treatment options include lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bladder & Bowel Community.Urinary frequency – how often should you pee?Penn Medicine.Frequent urination.Urology Care Foundation.When nerve damage causes bladder problems: neurogenic bladder.UF Health.Urinary tract infection - adults.University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Bladder irritants.Urology Care Foundation.What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?Planned Parenthood.Vaginitis.Harvard Medical School.Medications that can cause urinary incontinence.Lightner DJ, Gomelsky A, Souter L, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (non-neurogenic) in adults: AUA/SUFU Guideline amendment 2019.J Urol.2019;202:558. doi:10.1097/ju.0000000000000309MedlinePlus.Urine culture.MedlinePlus.Urinalysis.MedlinePlus.Cystoscopy.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bladder & Bowel Community.Urinary frequency – how often should you pee?Penn Medicine.Frequent urination.Urology Care Foundation.When nerve damage causes bladder problems: neurogenic bladder.UF Health.Urinary tract infection - adults.University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Bladder irritants.Urology Care Foundation.What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?Planned Parenthood.Vaginitis.Harvard Medical School.Medications that can cause urinary incontinence.Lightner DJ, Gomelsky A, Souter L, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (non-neurogenic) in adults: AUA/SUFU Guideline amendment 2019.J Urol.2019;202:558. doi:10.1097/ju.0000000000000309MedlinePlus.Urine culture.MedlinePlus.Urinalysis.MedlinePlus.Cystoscopy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bladder & Bowel Community.Urinary frequency – how often should you pee?Penn Medicine.Frequent urination.Urology Care Foundation.When nerve damage causes bladder problems: neurogenic bladder.UF Health.Urinary tract infection - adults.University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Bladder irritants.Urology Care Foundation.What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?Planned Parenthood.Vaginitis.Harvard Medical School.Medications that can cause urinary incontinence.Lightner DJ, Gomelsky A, Souter L, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (non-neurogenic) in adults: AUA/SUFU Guideline amendment 2019.J Urol.2019;202:558. doi:10.1097/ju.0000000000000309MedlinePlus.Urine culture.MedlinePlus.Urinalysis.MedlinePlus.Cystoscopy.
Bladder & Bowel Community.Urinary frequency – how often should you pee?
Penn Medicine.Frequent urination.
Urology Care Foundation.When nerve damage causes bladder problems: neurogenic bladder.
UF Health.Urinary tract infection - adults.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Bladder irritants.
Urology Care Foundation.What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?
Planned Parenthood.Vaginitis.
Harvard Medical School.Medications that can cause urinary incontinence.
Lightner DJ, Gomelsky A, Souter L, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (non-neurogenic) in adults: AUA/SUFU Guideline amendment 2019.J Urol.2019;202:558. doi:10.1097/ju.0000000000000309
MedlinePlus.Urine culture.
MedlinePlus.Urinalysis.
MedlinePlus.Cystoscopy.
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