6 Side effects of holding your urine too long

While holding in urine seems harmless, doing it too often and for too long can lead to various health issues in different parts of our body (Image: Pexels)

We all have been there, whether we are stuck in traffic, busy in a meeting, or just too lazy to get up, we hold our urine for longer than we should. While doing it occasionally may not seem like an issue, doing it repeatedly can lead to various health issues.

"The bladder is a sensitive organ. To store urine beyond its own natural capability causes strain not only on the bladder but other parts of the urinary system as well," explains Dr. Neelima Rao, a Urologist in New Delhi, and a Women’s Health Specialist.

Here are six reasons beyond knowing that you are ignoring nature's call too often to cause you harm:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urine that is retained in the bladder for too long can lead to bacteria growth, which raises your risk of urinary tract infection. “When you hold your urine, bacteria that would typically be flushed out with urine, can stay in the bladder and reproduce, and then travel upward to your kidneys, causing an infection,” Dr. Rao said. UTI symptoms include burning during the urination process, pelvic pain and cloudy or foul-smelling urine.

Also Read: When the kidneys fail slowly: Understanding chronic kidney disease

Bladder Stretching and Weakening

Our bladder has a natural capacity of allowing us to hold 400–600 millilitres of urine, and that bladder can expand. However, habitual urine holding will put excessive distension on the bladder. This excessive stress on the bladder will weaken the bladder muscles and it can take longer for the bladder to empty when urination occurs, resulting in urine retention and voiding problems long term.

Kidney Function

In rare cases of holding urine for extended periods, it may harm kidney function. When the bladder stays full, it can start to push on the kidneys. When that happens, it may cause urine to back up and contribute to kidney infections or even kidney failure, particularly over time.

Increased Risk of Incontinence

The more you try to resist your bladder, the greater the potential loss of control you may have. Regularly delaying a session in the toilet, can seriously weaken both the pelvic floor and bladder and cause leaks or urge incontinence later in life, especially, for women, after childbirth and menopause

Pain and Discomfort

Holding urine for prolonged periods can create severe abdominal and pelvic pain. The bladder balloons in size to accommodate the fluid build-up, developing cramping or heavy sensation of pressure. In some cases, this pain can radiate to the back and may be chronic with frequent episodes.

Risk of Bladder Stones

When urine is not appropriately eliminated from the bladder minerals in the urine can crystallize into bladder stones. These stones can irritate the bladder, cause infections or blockages in the urinary tract. Symptoms may include pain, difficulty urinating, or blood in the urine.
While there is nothing wrong with delaying a bathroom visit occasionally there can be serious health risks associated with the habitual holding of one’s urine.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.