Frequent Urination: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

The frequent need to urinate is typically unpleasant, and sometimes it’s even a sign of a serious medical issue.

Frequent urination may interfere with your work, hobbies, sleep, and mood, so it’s important to talk with your doctor if you have concerns about how often and how much you urinate.

Most people can sleep through the night without having to urinate, or only need to get up once to use the bathroom. People who have to get up multiple times at night may have a condition called nocturia. (1)

Adults typically pass roughly 3 cups to 3 quarts (700 milliliters to 3 liters) of urine in a day. (2) Those who urinate in higher volumes may have a condition known as polyuria.

Frequent urination is not always a sign of a medical problem. Many older men and women find they have to urinate more frequently as the bladder gradually loses its holding capacity. (1) Pregnant women also have to urinate more frequently, especially during the last few months of pregnancy as the enlarging uterus pushes on the bladder.

Urination will also occur more frequently if you’re drinking a lot of fluids, in particular drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

Frequent urination is defined as urinating more often than what you consider normal. Urination may occur in small or large amounts. The Cleveland Clinic defines frequent urination as urinating more than 4 to 8 times per day for healthy people who are not pregnant. (3)

Additional symptoms of a potential medical problem may include: (4)

• Discolored or smelly urine
• Cloudy urine
• Blood in urine
• Painful urination
• Difficulty urinating
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of bladder control
• Discharge from the penis or vagina
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever

Talk to your doctor if the cause of frequent urination can’t be explained by increased fluid intake, especially caffeine or alcohol.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) UTIs are the most common cause of frequent urination. They occur when bacteria invade the urethra, which connects the penis or vagina to the bladder. This causes inflammation, which can decrease the bladder’s ability to hold urine. (3) UTIs can affect multiple parts of the urinary tract: Urethritis is an infection of the urethra, cystitis is an infection of the bladder, and pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidneys.

UTIs are common in women and girls. Additional symptoms typically include a burning sensation while urinating, as well as occasional fever, lower back pain, blood in urine, or foul-smelling urine. (2)

Diabetes Frequent urination can be a sign of uncontrolled type 1 or type 2 diabetes. When diabetes is not controlled, excess sugar causes more fluid to pass from the kidneys into the urine. Uncontrolled diabetes is the most frequent cause of polyuria, or urinating more than normal. Additional signs may include excessive thirst and hunger, weight loss, fatigue, vision problems, and mood changes. (2)

If you think you may have diabetes, it’s important to speak with your doctor as soon as possible. Frequent urination can cause dehydration and lead to serious kidney problems, diabetic ketoacidosis, or hyperosmolar coma, conditions that can be life-threatening. (5)

Prostate Problems An enlarged prostate can cause the contraction of the bladder and affect urine flow. Also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, a noncancerous enlarged prostate is the most common cause of frequent urination in men over age 50. Additional symptoms may include difficulty urinating, dribbling of urine, getting up frequently at night to urinate, and a sense that urination is incomplete. (2)

Pregnancy Frequent urination during pregnancy is not a sign of any medical problem, and it usually occurs during the last few months of pregnancy. A growing uterus and fetus put pressure on the bladder, which must be emptied more often. This may also cause urine to leak during a sneeze or cough. Pregnant women are also at increased risk for urinary tract infections.

Additional medical causes of frequent urination can include: (6)

• Interstitial cystitis
• Stroke
• Bladder cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Anxiety
• Bladder stones
• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• Radiation therapy
• Diabetes insipidus
• Vaginitis
• Pelvic tumor
• Overactive bladder syndrome

Drinking alcohol and caffeine can also cause more frequent urination.

Certain medications can also cause frequent urination. Diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix), torsemide (Demadex), bumetanide (Bumex), hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene (Dyazide), and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) can increase your kidneys’ urine production. Sedatives and muscle relaxants, including diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and lorazepam (Ativan), can also cause frequent urination. (7)

Sometimes toilet-trained children begin to urinate more frequently than normal during the day, as often as every few minutes. This condition is called pollakiuria and can be caused by stress; other times there is no identifiable cause. The condition is usually harmless and will resolve within a few weeks or months. (8)

If your child experiences pain or burning with urination, leaking of urine, changes in bowel movements, or any other symptoms, then frequent urination is usually attributable to another medical condition, and parents should consult with the child’s pediatrician. If the child experiences none of these additional symptoms and their doctor also suspects they have pollakiuria, the St. Louis Children’s Hospital suggests that parents can reassure children that they can wait longer between trips to the bathroom and nothing bad will happen. (8)

If you’ve been urinating frequently, your doctor may perform a number of tests to determine the cause. To determine whether you have polyuria, the doctor may measure how much you urinate in a 24-hour period. (2)

If your doctor suspects you have a urinary tract infection or a prostate infection, they may take a urine sample and conduct a urinalysis. They may also conduct a cystoscopy to view the inside of your bladder or an ultrasound to inspect your bladder or other organs. (3)

If your doctor thinks you have an enlarged prostate, they may conduct blood tests to measure the level of protein-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood and then conduct a biopsy of the prostate. (2)

Your doctor may also measure your blood sugar levels to test for diabetes mellitus.

Additional tests may include: (6)

• Urine culture
• Cystometry
• Ultrasound
• Nervous system testing
• CT scan
• MRI

Treatment for frequent urination will depend on the underlying medical cause. Antibiotics are typically prescribed to treat a urinary tract infection. If you have an enlarged prostate, you may be prescribed medication to shrink your prostate.

If you have overactive bladder syndrome, your doctor may prescribe medications including oxybutynin (Ditropan) or solifenacin (Vesicare). (3)

If you are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, your doctor may recommend changes to your diet, insulin injections, oral medications, or some combination of these.

While you are receiving treatment, your doctor may also recommend that you wear adult undergarments.

Depending on the condition, your doctor may also recommend changes to your lifestyle that can reduce or prevent frequent urination. These can include: (3)

• Kegel exercises to strengthen bladder and pelvic muscles
• Reducing consumption of alcohol and caffeine
• Reducing fluid intake before bedtime

The Takeaway

Frequent urination can be disruptive to your daily routine and may indicate an underlying medical condition, such as urinary tract infections or prostate problems. If you're experiencing an unusual pattern in your urination, check in with your doctor to figure out the cause and find relief. Try limiting alcohol and caffeine to help reduce bathroom trips.