What happens to your body when you hold your pee?

What happens to your body when you hold your pee?

When you feel the urge to empty your bladder, the reason behind it isn’t as simple as your bladder filling up with liquid. It’s actually a pretty complex process involving many muscles, organs, and nerves that work together to tell you that it’s time to go.

When your bladder is about half full, it activates the nerves in your bladder. These nerves signal your brain to give you the urge to urinate. The brain then signals the bladder to hold on until it’s time. Holding your pee involves consciously fighting this signal to urinate.

These signals will differ from person to person. They also vary according to your age, how much liquid your bladder contains, and what time of day it is. For example, these signals decrease at night — that way you can get a full night’s rest instead of running to the restroom every few hours!

If these signals pick up, it may be the result of an underlying medical condition. Some people may develop an overactive bladder or have a bladder that’s triggered by stress.

For some women, the urge to urinate more frequently can increaseTrusted Source after having children. This results from changes that occur during childbirth, including weakened muscles and nerve stimulation.

Can hold urine cause UTIs?

Simply holding your pee doesn’t cause a UTI. UTIs occur when bacteria make their way into the urinary tract.

If you don’t empty your bladder on a regular basis, the bacteria are more likely to sit and multiply in the bladder. This can lead to a UTI. One studyTrusted Source discusses this risk — which can result in infection — but the association hasn’t been proven.

Your risk for a UTI may also be higher if you don’t drink adequate amounts of water. This is because your bladder won’t be full enough to send the signal to urinate. Bacteria that might already be present in the urinary system will then be able to multiply, potentially leading to an infection.

If you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms or think you have a UTI, consult your doctor.

Symptoms of a UTI include:

persistent need to urinate
burning sensation while peeing
strong-smelling urine
urine that looks cloudy
blood in the urine
pelvic pain

Other possible complications

Your bladder is a part of your urinary system. It’s connected through the ureters to your kidneys. In rare cases, urine can back up into the kidneys and lead to an infection or kidney damage.

Pre-existing medical conditions, such as an enlarged prostate or a neurogenic bladder from nerve damage, can lead to involuntary retention of urine. A blockage in the passage of urine or weakened bladder muscles can prevent the bladder from emptying completely.
What if you really need to hold your pee?

When you have to go, you have to go. If you’re able to use the restroom, you should do so.

But if you’ve been advised to do any form of bladder training, or if you’re unable to access a bathroom, here are a few things you can do to take your mind off the urge to urinate:

Do a task that will actively engage your brain, such as a game or crossword puzzle.
Listen to music.
Stay sitting if you are already sitting.
Read a book.
Scroll through social media on your phone.
Keep warm, since being cold can give you the urge to urinate.

The bottom line

In most cases, holding your pee now and then isn’t harmful to your health. If, however, the urge to urinate is affecting your daily life, you should consult your doctor. Holding your pee on a regular basis can increase the risk of UTIs or other complications.

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