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Some people are always trying to find the bathroom. Others might rarely have to go, and wonder if it’s normal to go to the bathroom too little. While not having to pee very often might seem convenient, it can be a sign from your body that something is off, or even that you have an underlying condition that needs medical attention.
According to the Bladder and Bowel Community, peeing four to 10 times per day is normal. Most people need to go six to seven times. Dr. Christopher Roth, urologist at LCMC Health in New Orleans, says the frequency depends on two factors: how much urine the kidneys produce, and how effectively the bladder empties stored urine each time.
The impact of holding your pee
Some people urinate less frequently because they are busy or don’t have access to a bathroom, which is a practice that Roth says is actually harmless. However, if your bladder is holding urine and you are unintentionally retaining urine, that can be a problem.
“Holding urine unintentionally is termed urinary retention and often indicates an issue with the bladder or bladder outlet (prostate in men). Urinary retention does put the kidneys at risk,” he says.
Causes of not urinating frequently enough
It can be as simple as needing to drink more water. The sign of this is that your urine will be more concentrated, and you can check the color to determine hydration levels. “A well-hydrated person will have clear urine, which will progress to light yellow, yellow and even orange in color as dehydration progresses. This type of low urine production should respond to increased fluid intake,” Roth says.
But signs of a more serious bladder problem will include additional symptoms, he adds, like dribbling urine, pain with urination, feeling of incomplete emptying, blood in the urine and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Neurological conditions from Parkinson’s to spinal trauma can also impact the bladder, but urination frequency issues aren’t typically the first or only sign, Roth says.
Seek help from a doctor if you experience any of the additional symptoms above, or if you have swelling, low energy, loss of appetite or don’t feel well, which can be aligned with a kidney function problem.
Overall, Roth says, “A good rule of thumb is to void every two hours while awake. A well-hydrated person will naturally void around this time frame.”