"When you gotta go, you gotta go," the old saying goes.
But for those who've ever had to hold urine when there was no bathroom in sight, or work just got too busy for a bathroom break, is there any harm in waiting?
The primary concern is often whether holding urine will cause a urinary tract infection. Dr. Sonia Bahlani
, founder of Pelvic Pain Doc in New York, says it’s a little more complicated than a simple yes or no.Here’s what to know if you frequently hold urine in.
The purpose of peeing
To understand a UTI’s connection to holding urine, let’s look at the function of urinating in the first place. "Urinating is one of the body’s most important natural defense mechanisms. Every time you empty your bladder, you’re flushing away bacteria that may have entered the urinary
tract before they have a chance to adhere to the bladder lining," Bahlani says.
So while holding urine doesn’t directly cause a UTI, you are prolonging the amount of time until you flush bacteria out of your system.
"When urine sits in the bladder for prolonged periods or when the bladder doesn’t empty completely because of pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary retention or another underlying condition, that natural flushing mechanism becomes less effective. Bacteria have more time to multiply and attach to the bladder lining, which increases the likelihood that an infection can develop," Bahlani adds.
The risk of developing a UTI from frequently holding in urine varies person to person. Bahlani says it depends on hydration, bladder function and underlying medical conditions.
The role of pelvic floor conditions while holding urine
Although some people worry they’ll get a UTI if they don’t have the chance to urinate every three to four hours (the typical schedule for healthy adults, Bahlani says), there’s another potential issue with waiting too long.
"When someone consistently delays urination (or already has pelvic floor dysfunction), that coordination can become disrupted. Some people develop what we call dysfunctional voiding, or dyssynergia, where the bladder is trying to squeeze while the pelvic floor is still tightening instead of relaxing. This can prevent complete bladder emptying, leaving behind residual urine," she says.
So as stagnant pee – which she compares to a stagnant puddle versus a flowing stream – keeps bacteria in the body, the combination of pelvic floor issues and that bacteria can create the right conditions for a UTI.
Who is most at risk for a UTI from holding in pee?
In some roles where workers are so busy serving others they can barely fit in a bathroom break, delayed urination is more common. Bahlani points to teachers, drivers and health care workers as examples. Some people with certain medical conditions are also at risk of UTIs, such as those with "diabetes, pelvic floor dysfunction, neurologic conditions affecting bladder function, urinary retention, kidney stones, pregnancy, postmenopausal women and anyone with urinary tract obstruction."
She says, "It’s also important to recognize when more severe symptoms, such as fever, back pain or persistent urinary symptoms, require urgent medical attention." When in doubt, contact a licensed medical professional for advice.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don't hold your pee in. Here's why
