How can I get rid of feeling like I need to pee all the time?
This is a very common question patients ask when they see a urologist.
Overactive bladder is a chronic condition that affects both women and men.
Based on a study of 10,000 people, reports indicate that roughly 43% of women and 36% of men over 40 had symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB).
One of the symptoms of OAB is having a frequent and constant urge to pee.
If you feel like you have to go-go-go all the time, then this guide can help.
We compiled practical information on the causes of frequent urination in women and men, including the different treatment options that can aid in controlling the bladder emptying frequency.
What causes frequent urination?
Why am I peeing so much? In order to understand constant or frequent urination, it is important to take a look at the underlying cause.
The average adult bladder holds from 400 ml to 700 ml of urine. Normal peeing patterns can vary from person to person.
Most adults with a healthy bladder void 5 to 6 times a day and not more than once after going to bed at night. The average urinary output in 24 hours is 1,200 to 1,500 ml.
According to research institutions, urinary frequency, or constant peeing, can happen because of either reduced bladder capacity (e.g., less than 200 ml) or increased urine volume.
Increased urine volume can result from:
- Drinking too much water, caffeine, or alcohol
- Obesity or overweight
- Diabetes
- Over-the-counter medications, like diuretic use
- Kidney infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Bladder cancer
- Problem with the kidneys
- Sexually transmitted infections
Reduced bladder capacity can result from:
- Operative procedure
- Bladder obstruction
- Anxiety
- Interstitial cystitis
- Chronic infection
- Bladder stones
Causes of frequent urination in women
“I keep feeling like I have to pee. What could be causing it?”
UTIs are much more prevalent in people with a vagina than those with a penis, mainly because the female urethra is much shorter. Therefore, bacteria can travel a smaller distance before they cause an infection and trigger symptoms.
UTI risk factors for women include:
- Vaginal inflammation
- Vaginal irritation
- Sex
- Improper wiping (from back to front)
Based on reports from 15 studies, roughly 15.1% of American women reported having an overactive bladder, and 11% had OAB with urge urinary incontinence.
Different factors can also affect female urination. It’s important to understand the causes of frequent urination women experience before you can treat the problem.
Other causes of frequent urination in women include:
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Low estrogen levels from menopause
- Ovarian cancer
- Fibroids
Frequent urination at night in female patients often happens due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. The female bodies go through drastic changes, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. So frequent urination in females is not uncommon for those who develop a pelvic floor disorder.
Multiple studies reported pelvic floor dysfunction in 58% of mothers who had a spontaneous vaginal delivery, compared to 43% of mothers who had C-sections.
Hormone changes also have a major role to play. When the estrogen levels plummet, like when women develop menopause symptoms, women can frequently urinate as their bladder feels full. Decreased estrogen levels can also make women wake up more often to urinate at night.
Causes of frequent urination in men
“Why does it always feel like I have to pee?” Health issues that affect the prostate could make men urinate more often.
These conditions can include:
- Prostate cancer
- Prostatitis
- Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
Urinary health in men can be a serious problem. Roughly 50% of men have notable BPH symptoms by the time they turn 50. The odds increase with every decade of life. BPH can cause the inability to empty the bladder completely, urgent or frequent urination, and dribbling.
Nocturia, or waking up at night to pee, is one of the most prevalent urinary tract symptoms. Men can also experience pelvic floor dysfunction.
A pelvic floor problem can happen from anything, like surgery, trauma to the pelvis, heavy lifting, stress, previous infections, and prolonged sitting.
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Why do I pee immediately after drinking water?
“It feels like I need to pee every time I drink water. Why is that?”
You can have a constant need to pee when the bladder can’t hold the amount of fluid you provide. So, drinking lots of water can increase the odds of frequent urination.
Having a constant urge to urinate right after drinking water often happens to individuals with an overactive bladder.
If you have OAB, consuming carbonated drinks can worsen the symptoms. Whereas having too little fluid can make the urine acidic, concentrated, and heighten bowel irritation.
If you can’t stop peeing, talk to your healthcare provider. A doctor can help work out the proper amount of water to drink to manage daytime urination. They can also suggest the different liquids you can rely on to keep your bladder in good shape.
When I pee why do I feel like I have to push?
When the frequent urination feeling is accompanied by straining or needing to push, it usually means that there is an obstruction of the urethra and bladder outlet. Kidney stones can also get lodged in the ureter and block the flow of urine.
Men might have to push when they pee if they have an enlarged prostate. The prostate can block urine flow from the bladder and out of the urethra.
Other factors can also cause bladder outlet obstruction in men. Some of these are prostate cancer, scarring of the bladder neck, or urethra from surgery or injury.
Using certain medications can make it harder to urinate. This includes decongestants, antihistamines, or medications for treating an overactive bladder.
In women, a blockage can slow or stop the flow of pee. Blockages can happen from bladder stones, tumors, scar tissue, or cancer (i.e., fallopian tube cancer and ovarian cancer).
So, if you are struggling with constantly needing to pee and push, talk to a specialist.
How to get rid of feeling like you need to pee
Want to know how to stop the urge to pee? There are a few home remedies and lifestyle changes you can try.
Specialists often recommend avoiding drinking lots of fluids before you go to bed. Fluids can also come from soups, not just beverages.
Hydration needs can vary from person to person. It ca vary due to your exercise level, body size, and certain medical conditions you have.
Most people stick to the 8×8 rule, which suggests consuming eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Ideally, you should cut back on alcohol, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and acidic drinks and foods.
Deep breathing exercises, like diaphragmatic breathing, can also help establish better bladder control.
To work on your pelvic floor conditions, experts often suggest Kegels and bladder retraining. Kegels improve muscle control by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles.
With bladder training, you will empty the bladder first thing in the morning. Then create a bathroom schedule and go to the bathroom at specific times that your doctor recommended. You would need to wait for the next scheduled time before you can pee again.
For those who experience a constant feeling that you need to pee, followed by a burning sensation when urinating, doctors may suggest painkillers like Phenazopyridine. This medication is used for alleviating burning, discomfort, and pain triggered by urine infections or irritations.
Conclusion
If you have a frequent urge to pee, it is important to find the underlying cause. Different factors can make you urinate more often.
Some of the most common triggers include urinary tract infections, drinking lots of fluids, diabetes, weakened pelvic floor muscles, etc.
In order to get rid of feeling like you need to pee all the time, doctors often recommend managing fluid intake and avoiding drinking coffee or alcohol before bed. Depending on how severe the problem is, Kegels and bladder retraining can also help.
Book an appointment with a specialist to find the best treatment that can accommodate your needs.
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