Sudden Urge to Pee and Can't Hold It? Five Possible Causes
You’re going about your day, minding your business, when you’re suddenly struck out of nowhere with the overwhelming urge to pee. You have to use the bathroom, right now, or else. What causes the sudden urge to pee, and why can’t you hold it? Here are five possible causes you should know about:
1. You’ve been drinking more fluids than normal.
The reason behind your sudden urge to pee is often a simple one: you’ve been drinking a lot more fluids than normal, and those beverages went right through your urinary system and into your bladder. Most adult bladders hold about two cups (16 fluid ounces) so if you’re drinking more than that at once, you are going to have to use the restroom soon. The faster you drink, the more quickly you will feel the urge to pee, so try to take small sips of water spaced out throughout the day instead of chugging a bottle at once.
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2. Your estrogen levels are dropping.
When your estrogen levels drop due to menopause or another cause, the tissues in your urethra and bladder can thin, leading to irritation and weakened pelvic muscles. Both of these factors can result in more frequent urination during both the day and night. If you are going through perimenopause or menopause, then you may find yourself needing to use the bathroom much more frequently than you once did, or even struggling with bladder leakage. Your doctor can perform tests to determine if your estrogen levels are where they should be. They can also help you devise a treatment plan to either manage your symptoms or address your falling hormone levels.
3. Your pelvic muscles are weak.
Menopause isn’t the only thing that can weaken your pelvic muscles. Childbirth is another common contributing factor, as is pelvic surgery. Age can also cause your pelvic muscles to weaken over time and “relax” when you need them to contract. If your pelvic floor is weak, then you may struggle to hold in your urine and even experience bladder leakage. Kegels, pelvic lifts, and other pelvic floor exercises that specifically target the area will help rebuild these muscles and increase your ability to hold your pee.
Check Out Our Complete Guide on Pelvic Floor Exercises
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4. You have stress incontinence.
Stress incontinence refers to a specific type of incontinence that occurs when a physical stressor triggers the involuntary release of urine. Common triggers for stress incontinence include running, jumping, coughing, laughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects, and more. The occasional stress incontinence episode is normal, especially if your bladder is already full to bursting. However, see your doctor if constant stress incontinence is taking over your life. They will likely prescribe a multi-pronged approach that includes reducing trigger activities, doing pelvic exercises, taking medication, and other treatments.
5. You have bladder health issues.
A variety of bladder conditions, including a urinary tract infection (UTI), can cause the overwhelming urge to pee in addition to other symptoms, such as pelvic pain. In this case, the urge to pee is a symptom, and treating the underlying cause will cause the urge to urinate to lessen as well. However, in some other types of incontinence (such as urge incontinence), the overwhelming urge to pee is the main problem. Your doctor will work with you to eliminate potential causes of your frequent urination, such as a UTI. If they cannot find one, they will help you determine your exact type of incontinence and work with you to devise a treatment plan.
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There are also some other potential health issues that can lead to bladder leakage. Obesity puts added pressure on your bladder and can be a contributing factor for incontinence. Constipation can also worsen incontinence, as can the side effects of certain medications. In rare cases, nerve damage may also be responsible for the urge to urinate as well. If simple changes such as adjusting your fluid intake don’t work, then your doctor will work with you to determine what is causing your urge to urinate and then create a treatment plan based on that.
If your incontinence will take time to treat, then wearing incontinence liners will help keep you dry and comfortable while you wait for your symptoms to improve over time. If you don’t like the idea of purchasing your bladder leakage pads in person, then consider ordering online from Sofia & Grace. We ship all our incontinence products for women straight to your door in discreet packaging so no one will know what you are getting. Plus, you’ll get free shipping on any U.S. orders over $40!