The habit of holding in urine because you are busy or afraid to move may seem harmless, but in the long term it can cause the bladder to weaken or rupture, forming stones.
The bladder is a spherical organ with a hollow structure and the ability to stretch to hold urine. When the amount of urine reaches about 400-600 ml, receptors in the bladder send signals to the brain signaling the time to urinate.
Master, Doctor Dinh Quang Huy, Department of Urology – Andrology, Tam Anh General Hospital, said that normally each person urinates every 3-4 hours, depending on the amount of fluid ingested and bladder capacity. Holding in urination is not a sign of good endurance but a silent behavior that is harmful to health. Holding in urine a few times is usually not harmful, but if it becomes a habit, causing the bladder to continuously ignore natural signals, it can lead to many serious diseases.
Doctor Huy examined the patient. Illustration photo: Tam Anh General Hospital
Bladder weakness
Prolonged holding in urine causes the bladder to stretch beyond its normal capacity, weakening the smooth muscle layer over time, making urine expulsion less effective and can lead to urinary retention or incontinence. Chronic distension can weaken the signals between the bladder and the nervous system, leading to bladder hypoactivity (not contracting strongly enough to expel urine) or chronic urinary retention. These conditions often require intervention such as bladder catheterization or surgery.
Bladder stones
Minerals such as calcium and oxalate that accumulate in stagnant urine can crystallize and form bladder stones. If not treated, stones can cause bladder outlet obstruction, and the stone surface damages the bladder mucosa, causing symptoms of hematuria. Large stones that occupy the bladder can cause more severe urination disorders and even urinary retention.
Urinary tract infection
Stagnant urine creates a favorable environment for bacteria to grow. Frequent urination, even in healthy people, increases the risk of urinary tract infections.
Bladder rupture
The most serious complication is bladder rupture, which, although rare, can be life-threatening. When the bladder is full due to holding urine for a long time, internal pressure increases. If there is a strong enough mechanical impact on the lower abdomen, the already thinly stretched bladder wall can tear, causing urine to spill out. Patients with severe pain in the lower abdomen (abdominal area below the navel), abdominal distention, blood in urine or urinary retention, need emergency surgery.
To protect the bladder, Dr. Huy recommends urinating every 3-4 hours or when the need arises. If you must temporarily hold your urine, you can change positions and take deep breaths to reduce pressure in the lower abdomen, but should not repeat it frequently. Each person should also maintain a sufficient amount of water to drink every day but adjust appropriately according to access to toilets, keep private areas clean and have regular urinary health checks.