The surprising risks of holding urine, how it can cause kidney stones and infections

Health risks of holding urine: It can negatively impact your health and lead to various kidney-related issues, such as kidney stones, infections, and other complications (Image: Canva)

It is discomforting to hold your bladder during a long meeting or an extended drive. The urge to urinate becomes almost unbearable, but you try to ignore it, thinking it’s just a minor inconvenience. However, this seemingly small habit could be contributing to serious health issues. Prolonged urine retention can lead to a cascade of problems, from painful kidney stones to recurrent infections and damage to your urinary system.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), kidney stones form when substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid become concentrated in the urine and crystallize. While various factors contribute to kidney stone formation, habitual urine retention is a significant one.

The health risks of regularly postponing urination go beyond mere discomfort, says Dr Subhash Chandra Bose Inturi, Consultant Urologist at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Hyderabad. He explains, “This common habit, especially among working women who avoid public restrooms, can lead to kidney stones, recurrent urinary infections, and damage to kidney and bladder function. To reduce these risks, it's crucial to stay hydrated and urinate every 3 to 4 hours and also clearly understand the risks involved.”

Holding urine can negatively impact your health and lead to various kidney-related issues. Here’s how, according to Dr Bose, it can cause kidney stones, infections, and other complications:

Stone formation: The average person urinates 6 to 8 times a day, which helps flush out minerals like calcium and oxalate that can form stones. Holding urine for extended periods allows these minerals to concentrate and crystallise. Over time, this leads to the formation of painful kidney and urinary bladder stones. Concentrated urine increases the likelihood of stone formation, as it prevents these minerals from being effectively expelled from the body.

Urinary infections: Urination helps flush out bacteria from the urinary tract. When you delay urination, stagnant urine creates an environment where bacteria can multiply rapidly, leading to infections. People with diabetes, women, and those with neurological conditions are particularly at risk. Frequent urination helps reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by removing bacteria before they can establish an infection.

Bladder function damage: The urinary bladder is a muscle that expands to hold urine and contracts to expel it. Regularly postponing urination can cause the bladder to overstretch, impairing its ability to contract effectively. This can lead to urinary leakage or a complete blockage. Chronic overstretching can damage bladder muscles, leading to complications such as urinary incontinence or a condition known as bladder retention, which also affects kidney function.

Kidney stress: Holding urine for long periods can strain the kidneys, which work to filter waste from the blood. When the bladder is overfilled and cannot empty properly, it can back up into the kidneys, causing additional stress and potential damage. Persistent urinary retention can lead to kidney damage and complications like hydronephrosis, where urine accumulates in the kidneys.

Long-term effects: Holding of urine can contribute to a condition called pyelonephritis, an infection that can cause long-term damage to the kidneys if not addressed. This condition is more likely to occur when the bladder is unable to empty fully and bacteria from the bladder travel to the kidneys. Chronic urinary retention can lead to severe kidney infections and long-term damage.