Frequent or urgent urination
Key points
- Frequent urination means needing to urinate more often than usual.
- Together, frequent and urgent urination are classic signs of a urinary tract infection.
- Follow the therapy recommended by your doctor to treat the underlying cause of your urinary frequency or urgency.
- What to expect at your health care provider's office Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.
Alternative names
Urgent urination; Urinary frequency or urgency
Definition
Frequent urination means needing to urinate more often than usual. Urgent urination is a sudden, compelling urge to urinate, along with discomfort in your bladder.
A frequent need to urinate at night is called nocturia. Most people can sleep for 6 to 8 hours without having to urinate. Middle aged and older men often wake to urinate once in the early morning hours.
Common Causes
Together, frequent and urgent urination are classic signs of a urinary tract infection. Since inflammation reduces the bladder's capacity to hold urine, even small amounts of urine cause discomfort.
Diabetes, pregnancy, and prostate problems are other common causes of these symptoms.
Other causes include:
- Interstitial cystitis (an ongoing inflammation of the bladder that is much more common in women than men; often difficult to diagnose and treat)
- Diuretics and many other medications
And, less commonly:
- Radiation therapy
- Bladder dysfunction
- Bladder cancer
Common Causes of nighttime urination:
- Drinking too much before bedtime, especially caffeine or alcohol
- Enlarged prostate
Home Care
Follow the therapy recommended by your doctor to treat the underlying cause of your urinary frequency or urgency. It may help to keep a diary of times and amounts of urine voided to bring with you to the doctor.
In some cases, you may experience some urinary incontinence for a period of time. You may need to take steps to protect your clothing and bedding.
Call your health care provider if
Call your doctor right away if:
- You have fever, back or side pain, vomiting, or shaking chills.
- You have increased thirst or appetite, fatigue, or sudden weight loss.
Also call your doctor if:
- You have urinary frequency or urgency, but you are not pregnant and you are not drinking excessive amounts of fluid.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.