Nearly everyone has experienced the urge to ignore the call of nature, particularly when faced with the prospect of using public restrooms or when engrossed in tasks, work, or driving.
Most times we’ve held it to the point where we think we would never make it to the restroom. Beyond the discomfort of holding it in, this habit can spark a host of health concerns..
1. Increased Urinary incontinence
When you regularly hold in your pee, it weakens the pelvic floor and you can start feeling like you need to go urgently all the time.
This can lead to accidentally leaking urine, which is known as urinary incontinence. It can be embarrassing and make life more difficult.
2. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
While holding your urine doesn’t directly cause a urinary tract infection (UTI), not emptying your bladder can create an environment where bacteria can multiply. Passing urine helps to flush out the bladder and the urinary tract.
Similarly, not drinking enough water can also lead to bacterial growth within the bladder as a lack of liquid in your system can provide an opportunity for bacteria to flourish and potentially cause an infection.
3. Weak bladder muscles
Regularly holding in urine can stretch your bladder. This is because the bladder is a muscular sac that stretches and as well contracts when you urinate.
However, holding in large amounts of urine overstretches your bladder, weakens the muscles which makes it very hard for it to contract when you want to pee.
It can also cause you to have trouble completely emptying your bladder.
4. Kidney damage or disease
Delaying a trip to the bathroom can potentially contribute to the formation of kidney stones, especially in individuals with a history of the condition or those with high mineral content in their urine.
This is because urine contains minerals and salts which could crystallize and become bladder stones. If your bladder is full, urine or the stones can flow back to the kidneys causing kidney damage.
5. Bladder rupture
It is a rare occurrence, but holding in your urine for an extended period can lead to a ruptured bladder.
When the bladder bursts, it can result in the spillage of urine into the abdominal cavity, a condition that requires surgical intervention.
