Repercussions of holding urine for a longer time

Dr.Vikas Agarwal, 3 mins read

Often while working in an office, attending a meeting and going out in public areas like malls and restaurants, we try to hold the urine. But do you know that it’s not good for your health? Though occasionally holding the pee is not a cause for worry, those who do this regularly may be at a vulnerable stage.

Of course, you don’t want to get into such a stage. That’s why you are here to read about this. In this guide, we will discuss this topic in detail. So, let’s start!

How much urine the bladder can hold?
The average adult bladder can hold between 300-400 millilitres of urine in a day and around 800 ml during the night. However, this capacity can vary depending on individual factors, such as age, gender and overall bladder health.

Children have small bladders as they are in their developing stage. There is a formula to calculate the child’s bladder size: (age +2) x 30 ml.

How much time can you hold urine?
Our bladder usually sends the signal to the brain when it fills about half of its capacity. The brain then creates the urge to urinate while telling the bladder to hold the urine.

It is generally recommended to empty the bladder every 3-4 hours to maintain bladder health and prevent urinary tract infections. Holding urine for a longer time regularly can put a strain on the bladder muscles and increase the risk of bladder issues.

What happens if we hold urine for a long time?

• Pain and discomfort: Holding urine for extended periods can cause discomfort, pain, and a feeling of urgency when finally urinating.

• Incontinence: Regularly holding the urine for a longer time can weaken the bladder muscles and increase the risk of urinary incontinence over time. The condition is characterised by the loss of bladder control, leading to involuntary leakage of urine. People suffering from this usually experience frequent urges to urinate, which can be irritating as well as embarrassing.

• Urinary tract infections: When urine is held for extended periods, bacteria can multiply in the bladder, leading to a higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

• Bladder stretching: Usually, when urine fills in the bladder, it stretches. And when you urinate, the bladder comes back to its original position. Regularly holding the urine for a longer time may cause the bladder to continuously stretch, which may eventually stop it from bouncing back to its original position.

• Kidney stones: Urine often contains minerals like calcium oxide and uric acid. Holding urine regularly for a longer time in the bladder can cause a buildup of these minerals that can turn into kidney stones. People with a history of kidney stones or those who have a high mineral content in their urine are more vulnerable.

Takeaway!
It’s important to listen to your body's signals and empty your bladder when you feel the urge. Holding urine for longer than necessary can have negative repercussions on your urinary system. So, take the above-mentioned pointers in mind to ensure overall well-being. If you have any of the above problems, you can consult experts at Aakash Healthcare.