Have you ever felt the need to hold in your pee? Was it just once or twice, or do you find yourself doing it more frequently? The reason I ask is that regularly holding in your urine can lead to both immediate and long-term health risks. You may have heard elders advise against holding it for too long, and they have good reasons for saying so.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Nitin Shrivastava, Senior Consultant Urologist at Artemis Hospitals, sheds light on these potential risks.
Also Read: 5 Types Of People Most At Risk Of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Immediate Risks Of Holding Urine![]()
Did you know that a healthy bladder can hold roughly 1.5–2 cups, or 300–400 millilitres (ml), of urine during the day? At night, the capacity may increase, with the bladder being able to hold up to about 4 cups, or 800 ml.
However, this does not mean you should wait until your bladder feels like it's about to burst. Holding your pee for too long can lead to several immediate side effects and increase your risk of infections. These may include:
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Holding your urine gives way to bacterial multiplication in it, thus increasing the UTI risk. Because of the structure of the female urinary system, women will typically be at greater risk for developing UTIs compared to men. The female urethra is much shorter and closer to the anus than in males, facilitating entry of bacteria into the bladder. However, men and women alike can suffer deleterious effects from holding their urine.
Discomfort and pain: Holding urine itself may bring about discomfort, bloating, and pain in the bladder or lower abdomen.
Urge incontinence: The longer you hold your urine, the more your bladder muscles will weaken over time; this may lead to urge incontinence, a kind of disorder where you suddenly have a strong desire to urinate and are unable to hold it in.
What Are The Long-Term Risks?![]()
If you find yourself holding your urine regularly and more frequently, here are some long-term health challenges you may face:
Kidney stones: Holding up urine increases the concentration of minerals that are present in the urine; this, in turn, outsets the facilitation of the formation of kidney stones.
Bladder damage: Overstretching of the bladder for long periods may lead to stress on the wall of the bladder, therefore leading to damage or weakening.
Neurogenic bladder: Holding urine from time to time may lead to neurogenic bladder, a condition where the nerves that control the bladder get damaged.
Dr Shrivastava explains, “Holding urine can exert additional pressure on the kidneys, along with the overall system of the urinary. A full bladder can press on the ureters, the small tubes that carry the urine from the kidneys into the bladder. When this pressure prevents the urine from flowing normally, the kidneys cannot function properly, or the kidneys could be damaged.”
Also Read: Kidney Stones: Initial Symptoms To Know If You Have It
Warning Signs Of Bladder Or Kidney Damage![]()
If you are retaining your urine frequently and you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you could be causing damage to your bladder or kidneys:
- Long-term pain or burning in your lower abdomen or back
- Recurring UTIs
- Blood in your urine
- Changes in urination such as frequent, urgent, or difficult to urinate
- Fever
- Seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
Takeaway
Holding your urine for a long time and doing so frequently can have a negative impact on your kidneys and overall urinary system. Not only can it lead to pain and discomfort and expose you to various infections, but in the long run, you can also develop organ damage. The key is to go to the toilet as soon as you feel pressure. Avoiding holding urine in for long unless there is no alternative.