Do you know, that holding urine can lead to a medical urgency? Do you realize that your restroom procrastination can make your body tired from long-term effects?

How would you feel if your doctor tells you that your kidneys are in trouble just because your poor bladder is forced to hold urine because you do not want to go to an unfamiliar restroom?

If you are among those who keep on delaying going to the bathroom and emptying bladders just because of your laziness or your schedule of watching movies that are too suspenseful that you do not want to skip these for a while, you should read this article to know about its long acting side effects.


How long is it safe to hold urine?

The urinary bladder is an important part of our urinary system and it serves as a holding tool. People of different ages have different capacities to hold pee, but an adult can store about two cups during the daytime while up to four cups during the night when we are sleeping.

Due to the growing phase, kids normally have less capacity to hold urine. They need to empty their bladders on the earliest. 

It is recommended by urologists and nephrologists to go to the bathroom after every three hours. This practice helps the body to stay healthy in particular the kidneys and bladder.

The urinary bladder is quite flexible and it can stretch to hold more in case of urgency but if holding becomes routine, bladders become sick from long-term effects.

Here we look at the side effects that are induced by poor habits of holding urine for a longer time.

Holding urine for a bit can cause unbearable pain.


Possible complications for holding urine for a longer time

As we have already discussed that our laziness can cost us a big deal, we would enlist the possible complications that are potentially unsafe as per their effects.

  • Pain and pelvic cramps
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Bladder sensitivity and urinary incontinence
  • Chronic kidney disorders
  • Bladder rupture


Pain and pelvic cramps

The first side effect that is faced while holding the pee, is pain in the bladder and kidney muscles. It is associated with the discomfort that persists if this poor habit is not changed.

Moreover, this pain can be felt like pressure put on the urinary system and it hurts while urinating.

This chronic pain makes the natural process of urination painful.

Pelvic floor muscles are also associated with the urinary tract, and when the bladder is feeling discomfort, it affects pelvic floor muscles as well.

It can affect the muscles in the urethral sphincter and they stay a bit clenched resulting in pelvic cramps that can be sometimes unbearable.


Urinary tract infections

Our urinary tract is always full of microbes that can be potentially unsafe. When a person holds urine, he unintentionally provides the place to bacteria to grow and cause infection. These infections are called urinary tract infections also known as UTIs.

UTI is not something that can go away on its own. It requires medical backup with an appropriate regimen of antibiotics.

People who do not drink enough water are also more prone to get UTIs because their bladders are not emptied. Bacteria keep on growing and spreading to other parts of the urinary tract which can lead to recurrent UTIs.

If a person is feeling a burning or stinging sensation while urinating, foul smelling, cloudy urine, and a constant urge to go to the restroom and empty the bladder is having UTI and he/ she should get it checked by a urologist.

Urinary tract infections are not self-limiting. They need medical attention!


Bladder sensitivity and urinary incontinence

When the bladder is half full, the brain sends the signal to it for getting emptied. This signal leads to an urge to urinate. When in an inevitable situation, the bladder can stretch itself to increase its holding capacity. If this becomes a routine practice, it affects the urethral sphincter muscles.

Sphincter muscles keep the urethra (an opening for urination) closed to control unnecessary leakage. But if these muscles are impaired chronically, they lose their strength and may result in atrophy. They find it hard to completely close the urethra. As a result of this, the patient complains of bladder incontinence (in which uncontrolled urine leakage occurs), which if severe can require surgery.

Apart from muscle loss and resultant weakness, the other complication can be stretched bladder. Once the bladder is stretched for too long, contractions can be difficult and affect the functions of the bladder.

If the bladder stretching extends too much, it may require the use of a catheter which can be uncomfortable.


Chronic kidney disorders

Urination is a natural process of making the body free of toxins and minerals. All the metabolic wastes are secreted through the kidneys and then excreted via urine. These metabolic wastes can consist of electrolytes, minerals i.e. Oxalates and uric acid.

When urine is being held for an extended period regularly, it can disturb the detoxifying process. If we do not urinate after getting a signal, after a certain time these electrolytes move back to the kidney and then blood (getting back into the circulatory system).

If high mineral build-up, is stored in urine for a longer time and gets back to the kidney, it can cause inflammation there. If oxalate i.e. calcium oxalate surpasses the normal limit, it can lead to the development of kidney stones. Kidney stones lead to poor health, with kidney pain and blood in the urine.

Another complication affecting to kidneys can be kidney infection as there are chances for bacteria in the urinary tract to move upwards and reside in the kidneys, showing symptoms of infection.

If kidney health is disturbed for a longer time, it ultimately ends up in chronic kidney diseases. It can eventually lead to kidney failure which can be a high-risk situation and may require a transplant.


Bladder rupture

Bladder rupture can result from pressure on the bladder for an extended period. However, it is rare and can not happen normally. In such cases, the bladder affects nearby muscles and this can lead to urinary tract stress.

Though spontaneous bursting of the bladder is not common yet it is possible and can cause severe effects.


Health complications leading to poor bladder function

It is not always that we do not have good urination practices. Sometimes, it is our health complications that affect the regular functions of the urinary tract system.

The medical conditions that can be associated with halting the normal urination routine are as follow:

  • Enlarged prostate (in men)
  • Nerve irritation or compression 
  • Use of certain medication
  • Surgery
  • Weak bladder
  • Blockage in bladder
  • Kidney disorders
  • UTIs
  • Dehydration


Take-home message

Everyone has different functions of the body and reacts differently to changes and triggers. Few people are more sensitive while others have a good immune status and overall health.

If we keep on getting signals from our bladder and follow our restroom routine, it shows that our bladder and brain are healthy and well-cooperative.

If we keep on ignoring these signals, we might let our laziness win for the moment, but it can lead to unwanted results and we may lose our health with our hands.

Be attentive to brain signals!


Candid dialogue:

As per the whole discussion, it makes us aware of the fact that giving ourselves a time out every few hours is surely going to pay off in form of good urinary health.

Make a health-friendly restroom routine.