Why am I peeing a lot?

Why you’re peeing a lot, and how to put a stop to it.

Halfway through your morning meeting, you have to dash out of the office in fear that you may wet yourself. An hour into your journey and you’re suddenly taking a detour to find the nearest service station. Or, just as you’re falling asleep, you’re struck by a pressing need to pee. If it feels like you’re peeing a lot lately and it’s starting to take its toll…  you’re not alone.

Many women battle day to day with ‘frequent urination’. It’s common, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it. Bodyset Women’s Health Physiotherapist, Larissa Christian shares her expert insights into some of the common causes for frequent urination and how to put a stop to it.

“There are a number of reasons influencing how often women have to pee. Many women push symptoms to one side and miss out on treatment because they presume it’s normal, or feel too embarrassed to take action,” says Larissa.

What is frequent urination?

While every body is different, peeing 6-8 times every 24 hours is typically considered ‘normal’. However, if you’re peeing much more than that – including peeing more than once at night – this may suggest that you’re experiencing frequent urination.

To note, frequent urination isn’t the same as urinary incontinence, which is the involuntary loss of urine. But needing to pee all the time, can be just as inconvenient to your day-to-day life!

What are the common causes for frequent urination?

1.      Alcohol, caffeine and other diuretics

Alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks are direct bladder irritants and diuretics that can cause you to pee more often. But caffeine is often the worst culprit. Try to dial down how many caffeinated drinks you have, limiting them to one or two per day if you can.

2.     Weakened pelvic floor muscles

Your pelvic floor muscles hold up many of the organs in your urinary system, including your bladder. If these muscles weaken, your pelvic organs can slip out of place and cause frequent urination, among other uncomfortable symptoms. Childbirth and ageing are often causes for weakened pelvic floor muscles. It’s common but it can be addressed through treatments like Women’s Health Physiotherapy and Pilates.

3.     Stress and anxiety

Needing to pee a lot can also be a response to stress. Particularly if you have things on your mind when you’re trying to settle down to sleep, or you have stressful things to address throughout your day. If you’re experiencing anxiety, then finding ways to effectively manage stress may help you reduce your number of trips to the bathroom. Stress management can include meditation, journaling, long walks or talking to an expert. Whatever works for you, be sure to take time out for yourself.

4.     A urinary tract infection (UTI)

Beyond needing to pee a lot, symptoms of a UTI can include a burning sensation when you pee, discoloured urine or constantly feeling like you have to pee (even after peeing). You might also feel discomfort in your back and pelvis, or experience fevers. UTIs happen when bacteria infects parts of your urinary system. If you are experiencing the symptoms above, consult your GP.

If I’m peeing a lot, what steps can I take?

Other causes can include drinking too much water, Diabetes, pregnancy, and more. If needing to pee is accompanied by other symptoms such as painful urination, feeling like you need to continue peeing after you have peed, smelly or cloudy urine, bloody urine, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, or unusual vaginal discharge, then we advise that you make an appointment with your doctor.

If you’d like help in addressing an overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, vaginal prolapse, or pre- and post-natal support, then get in touch to speak to one of our Women’s Health Physiotherapists to start your treatment plan. Remember, there’s no need to put up with peeing a lot, we’re here to help.