Urinary urgency, or an urgent need to urinate, can have many causes.
Urinary urgency can sometimes indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a problem with the bladder or prostate. In other cases, it may be a side effect of a medication.
Various treatments can help people manage urinary urgency.
In this article, learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of urinary urgency.
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Urinary urgency occurs when the pressure in the bladder builds suddenly, and it becomes difficult to hold in the urine. This pressure causes a strong and immediate need to urinate.
Urinary urgency can occur regardless of whether the bladder is full. It can also make a person want to urinate more frequently than usual. Some people experience urinary urgency infrequently while others notice it throughout the day.
It sometimes, but not always, occurs alongside urinary incontinence, which is where a person involuntarily passes urine.
Sudden movements that put additional pressure on the bladder, such as coughing or laughing, can cause some urine to leak out of the urethra.
Urinary urgency is unlikely to have a serious cause, but it can be disruptive to a person’s daily life. Many different factors can affect bladder function and cause urinary urgency.
A common cause is an overactive bladder (OAB). OAB is a condition in which the bladder puts pressure on the urethra to release urine even when it is not full.
Another common cause is a UTI, a common infection that occurs due to bacteria in the urinary tract. People may experience a burning sensation while urinating and notice cloudy or bloody urine.
Other causes of urinary urgency include:
- consuming too much liquid, especially alcohol or caffeine, which are both diuretics
- interstitial cystitis
- a vaginal infection
- a prostate infection
- an enlarged prostate
- a side effect of certain medications, including diuretics
- diseases that affect the nerve endings, such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes
- damage during childbirth or surgery
- pressure on the stomach, for example, due to pregnancy or obesity
To diagnose the cause of urinary urgency, a doctor will perform a physical examination, ask about the person’s symptoms, and assess their medical history.
The doctor will try to determine the frequency of urinary urgency, the time of day that it tends to occur, what fluids the person consumes, and what medications they take. In some cases, a person may need to keep a record of these factors to help the doctor determine a cause.
Doctors may also use
Sometimes imaging and bladder function tests are also necessary to test for any damage to or dysfunction of the bladder.
The treatment options for urinary urgency will vary depending on its cause.
Lifestyle changes
Drinking less liquid and avoiding caffeine and alcohol can help. Avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy weight may also be beneficial.
Bladder training
Bladder training, which involves timed voiding, is an effective method for managing urinary urgency.
Timed voiding is where a person keeps a bladder diary and works with a doctor to determine a regular schedule for using the toilet.
People can gradually increase the time between toilet visits to train the bladder to hold urine for longer and reduce the frequency of urinary urgency.
Physical therapy
Medications
Different medications will help with different causes. For example, if the cause is a urinary tract infection,
Medical procedures
In severe cases, a person may need surgery or a medical device, such as a catheter, to help them empty the bladder. Another option for more persistent cases is electrical nerve stimulation, which involves the use of electrical pulses to stimulate bladder function.
Some tips for preventing urinary urgency include:
- eating a healthful diet
- drinking enough fluids to urinate every few hours
- maintaining a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the bladder
- developing a consistent urination routine through bladder training
- avoiding smoking
- doing regular physical exercise, focusing on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles
- limiting alcohol and caffeine intake
Urinary urgency can disrupt daily functioning. Without proper management, frequent bouts of urinary urgency can make daily tasks more challenging and even affect work performance. Some people may become more physically inactive as a result of urinary urgency.
If urinary problems affect a person’s mental well-being, they can speak to a doctor about ways to manage their symptoms.
Urinary urgency can affect a person’s daily life. A doctor can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend treatment to manage the symptoms. People can also make some lifestyle changes and try bladder training to minimize urinary urgency.