We often find ourselves in situations where we have to resist the urge to urinate — the reason being a lack of washrooms nearby, unhygienic ones if there are any or long-distance travel, among others. However, this doesn’t bode well for our urinary health. Deferring urination for a prolonged period can increase pressure on the bladder, leading to urinary retention and incomplete emptying. The stagnant urine creates an environment conducive to bacterial multiplication, setting the stage for urinary tract infections (UTIs), says Dr Suri Raju V, managing director and chief urologist at Regal Multi Specialty Hospital, Bangalore. Additionally, urine retention may also increase the risk of stones, urinary incontinence and even renal failure.
“For individuals with certain medical conditions like diabetes, holding urine for too long can exacerbate existing issues, as impaired bladder sensation may create difficulties in recognizing the need to urinate, further increasing the risk of complications,” he adds.
Adding to the drawbacks of delaying bathroom breaks, Dr Shreyas N, consultant urologist, Fortis Hospital, Cunnigham Road, Bangalore, says it weakens the bladder, putting added pressure on the kidneys. “For those holding urine, their bladder will be in a constant state of contraction. Over time, the bladder will lose its contractility, causing incomplete emptying,” he notes.
Factors that hinder bladder emptying
Dr Shreyas says many who visit him for a consult tend to hold their urine for extended periods owing to their jobs where using the restroom freely isn’t feasible. “Hence, they inevitably fail to urinate at frequent intervals,” he adds.
Another reason that hinders proper urination is an enlarged prostate (in the case of men) or impaired bladder sensation, which makes people susceptible to untoward consequences.
Ill-effects of holding urine for an extended period
The bladder is designed to hold urine for four to six hours. A duration longer than that will pose health risks, says Dr Sreeharsha Harinatha, senior consultant, urology, robotic surgery and renal transplant, Kauvery Hospitals, Bangalore.
The primary complications that can arise due to prolonged urine retention include:
♦ UTIs
UTIs are more prevalent in women because they often don’t have access to toilets, causing them to hold urine for extended periods, says Dr Harinatha. The primary infections that can arise due to deferred urination include urethritis (infection of the urethra), cystitis (infection of the bladder), pyelonephritis (infection of the kidneys) and vaginitis (infection of the vagina).
♦ Bladder dysfunction
If one holds their urine on a regular basis, it can impair their bladder’s ability to respond to signals properly. This is referred to as bladder dysfunction, which can damage the bladder detrusor muscle over time, says Dr Harinatha.
♦ Kidney stones
Stone formation in the kidneys resulting from delaying urination can occur through several mechanisms. One of the primary contributors is urinary stasis, where urine remains stagnant in the bladder or urinary tract for a prolonged duration. When urine stagnates, minerals and salts in it can become concentrated, increasing the likelihood of crystal formation. Over time, these crystals can aggregate and form kidney stones.
Additionally, deferring urination can lead to incomplete bladder emptying, allowing residual urine to remain in the bladder; this can become concentrated and serve as a nidus for kidney stone development.
Further, urinary retention can also cause the urine to flow back into the kidneys, increasing the risk of kidney stones.
♦ Sudden urine leakage
Over time, individuals might lose bladder control, feeling the urge to urinate abruptly. This could lead to sudden urine leakage due to an overactive bladder (caused by blockages in the urinary passage), says Dr Govardhan Reddy, lead consultant, urology & uro oncology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore.
Adding to this, Dr Harinatha shares that while the condition is common in middle-aged people, it can also occur in older adults.
Takeaways
- Holding urine for prolonged periods can give rise to conditions like urinary retention and incomplete emptying. The stagnant urine can, in turn, make one susceptible to infections (UTIs).
- The factors responsible for deferring urination include challenging professions, limited access to washrooms and an enlarged prostate (for men), among others.
- Besides UTIs, the ill effects of withholding urine include bladder dysfunction, kidney stones and sudden urine leakage.
