Do you need to pee more often than you think you should? It may sound minor, but needing to pee frequently can be extremely bothersome. It can make daily activities difficult and wake you up at night. What’s more, it can be quite embarrassing when you’re constantly having to run to the bathroom.

Frequent urination in women is a symptom, not a health condition on its own. It has many possible causes. It’s also very common. As a result, many people ignore it and chalk it up to a natural result of aging. However, you don't have to “just live with” disruptive frequent urination. With the right support, you can treat the underlying causes of frequent urination.

What counts as frequent urination in women?

There is no single definition of frequent urination in women. Some say it means you pee more than eight times in one day or get up more than twice at night.

But peeing this often does not always mean you have a problem. If you drink a lot of fluids or take certain medications, you might pee more. Pay attention to what is normal for you, not others. If frequent urination negatively impacts your sleep or daily life, it’s time to take action.

What causes frequent urination in women?

Many factors can cause frequent urination in women. The most common causes include:

Urinary tract infection

UTIs can make you pee a lot. This is because the inflamed bladder lining is irritated by urine; the bladder wants to “flush out” the irritating fluid. You may also have painful urination, burning when you pee, or discomfort in your lower belly.

Pregnancy

Many pregnant women pee more often, beginning early on and increasing throughout pregnancy. This is due to changes in hormones and/or added bladder pressure as the fetus grows.

Overactive bladder (OAB) 

OAB is a syndrome that causes frequent urination and sudden, strong urges to pee. These urges often come from bladder spasms, which are sudden squeezes of the bladder muscle. Sometimes, an urgent need to urinate leads to leakage before you can reach the bathroom (urge incontinence).

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause

When your estrogen levels drop during menopause, the tissues around your vagina, urethra, and bladder change. They become weaker and less elastic. These changes can cause you to make frequent trips to the bathroom.

Bladder prolapse

If the muscles that support your bladder get weak, your bladder can drop down and push against your vagina. This can make it hard to empty your bladder completely. As a result, you may have leaks or strong urges to pee.

Diabetes or high blood sugar

If your blood sugar is high, your kidneys get rid of excess sugar by making you urinate frequently. Frequent urination, especially with increased thirst, can be a symptom of diabetes. 

Diabetes also causes chronic inflammation throughout the body. Over time, this inflammation can also mess with the bladder muscle and the nerves that control it, causing symptoms of OAB. Other medical conditions, such as some kidney diseases, can also make you pee more often.

Fluids and medications

When you drink more fluids, you will pee more. Food and drinks with caffeine can also make you go more often. If you drink alcohol or take certain medications, such as diuretics (water pills), these can also increase urine production.

Bladder habits

If you go to the bathroom "just in case" or pee every time you feel a small urge, you can train your bladder to go more often.

Because these causes can overlap, you should talk to your healthcare provider about them. Your provider can help you determine which cause(s) are contributing to your frequency. Together, you can determine the best way to address each cause.

Can menopause cause frequent urination in women?

Yes. Menopause can be one cause of frequent urination in women.

When estrogen levels drop, the tissues of your vagina, urethra, bladder, and pelvic floor become thinner and less elastic. Lower estrogen can also reduce collagen (a protein that keeps tissues strong and flexible), which can weaken tissues.

Experts call these changes and the symptoms they cause the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). GSM can affect urinary function and make your bladder more sensitive, which may lead to more frequent urination.

Is there a connection between vaginal atrophy and bladder symptoms?

Yes. Vaginal atrophy and bladder symptoms are connected. Your vaginal and urinary systems are physically close together, and the tissues of both systems respond to estrogen.

When your estrogen levels drop, these tissues become thinner and are more easily irritated. This can lead to conditions that make you pee more often, such as overactive bladder. Painful bladder syndrome (formerly called interstitial cystitis) can also cause frequent urination.

Watch this video from NeuEve’s co-founder to learn more about estrogen decline and urinary changes.

How are frequent urination and bladder prolapse related?

Frequent urination can be a symptom of bladder prolapse. However, note that frequent urination does not automatically mean you have prolapse: it’s possible to have one without the other.

Bladder prolapse is a condition in which the tissues that support your bladder get weak and your bladder bulges against your vaginal wall. If this happens, your bladder may not empty completely. It may also become more sensitive, so you may feel a constant or sudden need to go to the bathroom even when your bladder is not full.

Along with frequent urination, other symptoms of bladder prolapse include:

• A feeling of pressure or heaviness in your vagina

• A bulge or lump in your vagina

• A sensation that something is "falling out"

• Difficulty emptying your bladder

• Urinary urgency or leakage

If these symptoms sound familiar, see your healthcare provider. You might feel embarrassed, but doctors help patients with prolapse all the time.

How can you support the health of your vaginal and pelvic tissues to reduce frequent urination?

You can support the health of your vaginal and pelvic tissues in many ways. The best approach depends on what is causing your frequent urination. Let’s review several approaches to care.

What daily habits and lifestyle changes can reduce frequent urination?

• Bladder training: Use the toilet at set times, then slowly increase the time between bathroom trips. Over time, this increases how much urine your bladder holds before you feel the urge to pee.

• Watch your fluid intake: Drink enough fluids to stay hydrated, but don't overdo it. 48-64 ounces of water per day is enough for most people. To reduce nighttime urination, avoid drinking too much fluid before bed and limit evening alcohol or caffeine.

• Build healthy habits: Maintain a healthy weight, avoid constipation, and quit smoking.

• Cut back on bladder irritants: Drink less caffeine and fewer fizzy drinks. Some people find that spicy foods irritate their bladder, too.

What are the physical and surgical approaches?

Physical approaches: A pelvic physical therapist can teach you muscle training exercises (sometimes called Kegels). These exercises improve the performance of your pelvic floor muscles so you can hold pee for longer. They can also help you interrupt strong urges to pee so you can reach the toilet in time. 

Pelvic PTs can also perform other treatments to address tightness and imbalance in the tissues of your pelvic floor. For most people with frequent urination, pelvic floor physical therapy is an effective, low-risk treatment.

Surgical approaches: You and your provider may consider surgery if other options have not worked. Depending on the cause of your frequent urination, your provider might suggest:

• Mid-urethral sling: Your surgeon places a small strip of surgical tape under your urethra to add support. This helps prevent leakage.

• Colposuspension: Your surgeon lifts and supports the tissues around your bladder neck (where your bladder connects to your urethra). This adds support to the bladder neck and urethra so they don’t give way under pressure.

• Sacrocolpopexy: For frequent urination due to prolapse, your surgeon uses mesh to attach the top of your vagina to the base of your spine. This helps lift prolapsed tissue and support your pelvic organs.

Remember, all surgeries carry risks. Sometimes, surgery doesn’t resolve your symptoms, or they may come back after seeming to resolve. If you'd like to learn more about the drawbacks of these surgeries, check out Netflix's medical documentary, "The Bleeding Edge."

What are the pharmaceutical and hormonal approaches?

Medications can help treat frequent urination, and your provider can decide which type is best based on what is causing your frequent urination:

• Your provider may prescribe medications that calm your bladder contractions.

• If you have GSM, your provider may suggest vaginal estrogen cream.

These medications aren’t for everyone, though: like all medications, they can cause side effects. Before deciding whether to take them, make sure you know the risks and your other options.

What non-surgical, non-hormonal approaches can help reduce urinary frequency?

Some women experiencing frequent urination prefer to avoid surgical and hormone treatments. That's where NeuEve comes in. We offer non-surgical, non-hormonal options to support vaginal and pelvic tissues, which can help reduce frequent urination. 

Here are a few of the products that can help reduce frequent urination. They can be used alongside vaginal estrogen or in place of it:

April, a US-based customer (age 41-50), shared her experience after using Silk. She said she went from having severe symptoms to none: "I was absolutely shocked that I woke up the next morning symptom-free, and after 2 months, the symptoms have not returned. From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank you enough.”

Vivian, also from the US, told us that since using Silk, her urinary urgency and frequency have gone away. What's more, she “can now sleep through the night without waking up to go to the bathroom.”

When should you see a healthcare provider?

Talk with a healthcare provider if frequent urination is new, persistent, or affecting your daily life. They can help find the cause and recommend the right treatment.

If you have frequent urination along with any of these symptoms (or anything else that feels unusual for you), seek medical care right away:

• Leg weakness

• Fever and back pain

• Night sweats, cough, or weight loss

• Blood in your urine

While it’s not always the case, these symptoms may point to another condition that needs medical attention. Getting checked out can help identify the cause and get you the treatment you need.

Frequent urination in women is treatable  

You don't have to live with frequent urination that sends you on constant trips to the bathroom. Working with your healthcare provider can help you find the cause, and NeuEve can help support your recovery. To learn more about our natural approach to helping people like you regain their confidence and freedom, click here.

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