Frequent urination in women is a disorder of the urinary system. It consists of an excessive need to urinate frequently and in very small amounts. Frequent urge to urinate in itself is not a disease, but a symptom that indicates some kind of disorder. For example, frequent urination can be an indication of a urinary tract infection and more serious diseases (for example: diabetes mellitus) and may be a symptom of urge incontinence.
Table of content:
- What is urge incontinence?
- What is frequent urination?
- Frequent urination: How much is too much?
- Causes of urge incontinence and frequent urination in women
- How do I know if it's frequent urination?
- How is urge incontinence diagnosed?
- Prevention of urge incontinence and frequent urination
- What are urge incontinence treatments?
What is urge incontinence?
Urge incontinence increases the frequency of visits to the toilet resulting from the need to urinate. It occurs when the bladder muscles start to contract. This sensation may occur too late and there may not be enough time to get to the toilet. Often, this sensation also intensifies at night and can cause nocturnal wetting.
It can occur at any age, but is most common from early adulthood. Women are more likely to have urge incontinence than men, and constant urge to urinate in women can sometimes occur during sex, especially during orgasm.
There are several causes of urge incontinence: diseases of the nervous system, infection, side effect of medication, anxiety, insufficient hydration.
What is frequent urination?
Frequent urination in women may accompany a number of other ailments or be a side effect of taking medication or drinking too much fluid. In a healthy person, the need to urinate occurs when the bladder is filled with about 400-600 ml of urine. However, it is important to note that some people are able to hold up to half a litre of urine in their bladder. If you need to urinate frequently – every 2 to 3 hours during the day and at least twice a night, this is an indication to consult your doctor. As is the case when the frequent urge to urinate continues after a visit to the toilet.
Frequent urination: How much is too much?
There may be nothing more tiring than running back and forth to the bathroom a zillion times a day. But is frequent urination actually a problem? What is normal urination frequency?
Normal bladder capacity ranges between 400 to 600 ml. You certainly can't ignore frequent need to pee. You should react immediately if you notice that you urinate every 2 to 3 hours during the day, and even more frequent urination at night.
Causes of urge incontinence and frequent urination in women
There are lots of potential reasons why you are urinating so often. What causes urge incontinence? The commonest cause for frequent urination is an overactive bladder. They are usually accompanying symptoms and are characteristic of some medical conditions. Sources of the disorder may be kidney, bladder, urethra, hypothalamic disease, diabetes mellitus and medication. If you find that you are going more than you used to, here are some likely causes of urge incontinence:
1. You are drinking more liquids than usual
The first and obvious reason for frequent visits to the toilet is drinking too much fluid. The more fluids you put into your body, the more has to come out of it. The standard daily fluid intake should be around 2 litres, then you have a normal urination frequency. But it is important to remember that some people require less or more. It all depends on your activity level, medications you are taking and health conditions.
2. You are drinking too much caffeine, which is a diuretic
Drinking excessive amounts of caffeinated drinks or alcohol will increase urination. If you add artificial sweeteners to your drinks, you may also increase the amount of urine you pass.
3. Bladder infection and inflammation
More than half of all women experience this problem during their lifetime, due to their anatomy. Women's urethras are shorter than men's, so they are prone to bladder infections. Infection occurs when pathogenic microorganisms - for example, from faeces - are present in the urinary tract.
4. Overactive bladder, a common condition
It is characterised by urinary complaints such as urinary frequency, urgency, night-time urination and urinary incontinence. It manifests as uncontrolled urination with a feeling of strong urge to urinate on the bladder.
5. Vaginitis
This is another cause of excessive urination in women. It can be caused by yeast infections, cysticercosis or bacterial vaginitis.
6. Pregnancy
Pregnant women also tend frequent urge to urinate. This is due to the fact that the baby they are carrying causes the uterus to expand and puts extra pressure on the bladder. Therefore, this is not a cause for concern. After the baby is born, symptoms of frequent urination may persist. Women who give birth naturally are more likely to urinate more frequently because childbirth weakens the pelvic floor muscles.
7. Bladder stones
Frequent, burning urination, pain in the pit of the stomach and blood in the urine are common with bladder stones. These can remove naturally - which is quite painful, but surgery may be required for larger stones.
8. Diabetes
Frequent urination in women can be caused by type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This symptom occurs because excess sugar causes extra fluid to flow through the kidneys. The body is then unable to regulate blood sugar levels. This results in frequent urination in large quantities. Frequent urination in women can be caused by type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This symptom occurs because excess sugar causes extra fluid to flow through the kidneys. The body is then unable to regulate blood sugar levels. This results in frequent urination in large quantities.
9. Sexually transmitted diseases
Chlamydia or gonorrhoea are common sexually transmitted diseases that can cause frequent urination. However, it is important to remember that this may be one of the first symptoms, especially as sexually transmitted diseases are often asymptomatic at first.
10. Cancer of the bladder
Some women with bladder cancer may also feel the need to urinate more often. Cancer treatment can also cause more frequent urination. This is a side effect of radiation treatment, especially if the radiotherapy is applied to the pelvic area.
Having an overactive bladder means that the nerves and muscles in your bladder spasm and fire off too often, sending you on a mad dash to the bathroom. This means that your bladder signals that it’s time to go even when it’s not full. Typically, this is the result of nerve or muscle damage to your bladder and pelvic floor.
How do I know if it's frequent urination?
Frequent urination in women is very common. You may be wondering how to tell if your urination frequency is normal – especially when it’s because of good things like being well-hydrated. Here are some general rules of thumb:
- You have to urinate more than others. If you find that you are urinating more than six to eight times a day, you may be going more than is typical for a healthy bladder.
- It’s affecting your sleep. If your frequent urination is keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep and you find yourself getting up to go more than two times in a night, you may want to see your doctor about the possibility that you have an overactive bladder.
- The urge to urinate comes on strong. In addition to the frequency of urination, having an overactive bladder usually means your urge to go feels sudden and difficult to control – and maybe is accompanied by a little bladder leak in your panties.
How is urge incontinence diagnosed?
To begin with, you should observe your body. Pay attention to how often you use the toilet. If you use the toilet eight or more times a day and more than twice a night, you should visit your doctor for further tests to see if you have urge incontinence.
When you go to the doctor, a sample of your urine will be tested to see if you have a urinary tract infection. Your doctor may also have you analysed for urinary frequency and volume for a minimum of 3 full days. During the visit, he or she will also ask questions about the medications you are taking, the amount of fluids you drink, alcohol and caffeine. You may also be asked to cough to check for urine leakage.
For women, the doctor may also examine the pelvic floor muscles and, for men, the condition of the prostate.
Prevention of urge incontinence and frequent urination
Though it may feel uncomfortable at first to broach the subject, opening up to your girlfriends about frequent urination can be a huge source of support, as well as a relief; you may just find that she is experiencing similar urgency and that you are not alone. You can learn about her ways treatment for frequent urination. In fact, frequent urination in women is more common than you may think! It never hurts to reach out to someone close to us whom we trust. At the very least, it will gain you another ally in your camp in the quest to find the nearest restroom.
In addition to reaching out for support, there are a number of remedies and treatments you can seek out for your frequent urination.
Adopt a bladder diet
It is one of the most important natural methods for dealing with frequent urination - that is, changing our lifestyle and habits. Cut out foods that contain caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, carbonation, or citrus. These are known bladder irritants and can aggravate your condition. Not taking liquids about four hours before going to bed is also a good way.
Get on a schedule
Bladder training can be an important component of your treatment plan. Start visiting the ladies’ room at regular intervals, whether or not you have to go. Overtime, try increasing the amount of time between your visits so that you train your bladder to hold it longer and stop being so reactive – increase average time between urination. Be sure to up the amount by small increments each time in order to set yourself up for success.
Stay hydrated
Though it may sound counterintuitive, drinking enough water will be a real boon for your overactive bladder. Restricting fluids makes your urine more concentrated, and more of an irritant to your bladder. So fill that water bottle and drink up!
Pelvic floor exercises
You may know them as Kegels. They are super helpful for strengthening the muscles around your bladder so you can keep in that urine when the urge hits you. Read here for instructions and tips on how to get the most out of your Kegels . Do not hesitate to see a specialist women's physiotherapist to get more advice on this matter.
Medications
Talk to your doctor who may prescribe medications such as Oxybutynin, Tolterodine or Darifenacin (antimuscarinic drugs), all of which relax the bladder muscle. It is also advisable to undergo a more thorough medical examination to detect a disease of which frequent urination may be a symptom.
Wear protection
Specially designed incontinence liners and pads provide comfort and peace of mind for those moments in which you won’t be able to make it to the bathroom despite your best efforts. Not all liners and pads are created equal. Some are designed for dealing with incontinence, and others are not. Some women, reluctant to purchase incontinence products due to either stigma or inconvenience, wear period liners to address their incontinence. However, period liners are not uniquely designed to absorb urine, and may leave you feeling wet.
Always Discreet liners and pads are designed to lock in bladder leaks and odours – the super absorbent core quickly turn liquid to gel and neutralizes odours, leaving you worry-free to focus on doing what you love. Always Discreet liners and pads offer complete protection* and a discreet fit so you can live your life without compromise.
*based on our 5 areas of protection: trusted protection from leaks, instantly dry, odour lock, discreet fit, soft and gentle on skin.
What are urge incontinence treatments?
Treatment of urge incontinence can be divided in two ways: non-surgical and surgical treatment.
Non-surgical treatment consists of:
- lifestyle changes - less caffeine intake, more fluid intake, losing weight if overweight or obese;
- pelvic floor training - greatly beneficial when treating urinary incontinence;
- electrical stimulation - is recommended when the pelvic floor muscles cannot be tightened. A small probe is inserted into the vagina (in the case of constant urge to urinate in women) or anus (in the case of men). The current flowing through the probe helps to strengthen the muscles during exercise;
- biofeedback - a way of computer monitoring pelvic floor exercises through a probe in the vagina or rectum or by attaching electrodes to the skin of the abdomen or around the anus. This is designed to detect muscle tension;
- vaginal cones - used for constant urge to urinate in women, these are weights inserted into the vagina to be held by the pelvic floor muscles;
- bladder training - this involves learning a technique to increase the time between feeling like you need to urinate and passing urine;
- medicines for urge incontinence - the doctor may prescribe an antimuscarinic drug (oxybutynin, tolterodine, darifenacin) or mirabegron - a drug that relaxes the bladder muscles (allowing it to fill and store urine).
When non-surgical methods do not help, surgical treatment of urinary incontinence is recommended:
- botulinum toxin A injection - the substance is injected into the sides of the bladder, allowing the bladder to relax;
- augmentation cystoplasty - this is an operation that enlarges the bladder by adding a piece of tissue from the bowel;
- urinary diversion - a procedure where the ureters are diverted outside the body, the urine is then collected in a bag without going into the bladder.