Our disposal system i.e the Urinary bladder which is a muscular sac in the pelvis, just above and behind the pubic bone. When empty, the bladder is about the size and shape of a pear.
Urine is made in the kidneys and travels down two tubes called ureters to the bladder. The bladder stores urine, allowing urination to be infrequent and controlled. During urination, the bladder muscles squeeze, and two sphincters (valves) open to allow urine to flow out. Urine exits the bladder into the urethra, which carries urine out of the body.
Let’s be honest we all have been storing pee in the bladder especially when we tend to ditch public washrooms.
A healthy adult bladder can store around 2 cups(16 ounces) of urine but anything more than that may start making you feel uncomfortable. Generally holding your pee is not dangerous but its exact impact varies from person to person depending on their age and gender.
Holding your pee once in a while is not bad at all, in fact, it helps in strengthening the bladder muscles however if you make a habit for holding your pee for ages then you are subjecting yourself to some serious long-term effects including risk of infections.
In addition, constantly holding your pee can weaken your bladder muscles that can cause urinary retention i.e condition where you can never fully empty out your bladder (OUCH!)
Also, holding in a large amount of urine for an extended amount of time can expose your body to potentially harmful bacterias which can increase your chances of UTI.
When you feel the urge to empty your bladder, the reason behind it isn’t as simple as your bladder filling up with liquid. It’s actually a pretty complex process involving many muscles, organs, and nerves that work together to tell you that it’s time to go.
When your bladder is about half full, it activates the nerves in your bladder. These nerves signal your brain to give you the urge to urinate. The brain then signals the bladder to hold on until it’s time. Holding your pee involves consciously fighting this signal to urinate.
These signals will differ from person to person. They also vary according to your age, how much liquid your bladder contains, and what time of day it is. For example, these signals decrease at night – that way you can get a full night’s rest instead of running to the restroom every few hours!
If these signals pick up, it may be the result of an underlying medical condition. Some people may develop an overactive bladder or have a bladder that’s triggered by stress.
For some women, the urge to urinate more frequently can increase after having children. This results from changes that occur during childbirth, including weakened muscles and nerve stimulation.
holding urine for any length of time can be dangerous. If you have any of the following conditions, holding your urine can increase your risk of infection or kidney disease:
- enlarged prostate
- neurogenic bladder
- kidney disorders
- urinary retention
Women who are pregnant are already at an increased risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs). If you’re pregnant, holding your pee can further increase this risk.
Symptoms of a UTI include:
- persistent need to urinate
- burning sensation while peeing
- strong-smelling urine
- urine that looks cloudy
- blood in the urine
- pelvic pain
If the urge to urinate is affecting your daily life, you should consult your doctor. Holding your pee on a regular basis can increase the risk of UTIs or other complications.