Does Holding Urine Lead to Urinary Tract Infection?

Rumour has it – holding your urine longer than you should may cause urinary tract infection (UTI). How true is that?

What is UTI?

A UTI is a bacterial infection in the urinary system. Females are more prone to the infection than males, at a ratio of 8:1. Although most UTIs happen at the urethra and bladder, some can also involve the ureters and kidneys. The infection is common and usually not serious, unless the kidneys are involved. However, antibiotics would still be required in most cases to fight the bacteria that are causing UTI.

A person could be suspected of UTI when there are changes in urination pattern. For instance, there may be sudden urges to urinate, more frequent urinations, or pain when urinating. The urine might also appear cloudy or bloody, or smells strangely foul. Some people may also experience fatigue and pain in the lower abdomen.

Does Holding Urine Cause UTI?

In healthy individuals, the urine usually contains no to minimal bacteria. It was postulated that if a person does not urinate regularly, these bacteria are more likely to grow and multiply in the urinary tract. The person is considered infected when there is a certain level of bacteria in the urinary tract, which can be tested through urine samples.

When the bladder is full enough, the brain will receive signal to urinate. Hence, if a person does not drink adequate amount of water, the frequency of bladder emptying will also be lower. This gives an opportunity for bacteria to multiply and grow as well, which could also lead to UTI.

However, a study on risk factors of recurrent UTI showed that there is no significant association between holding urine and UTI. Nevertheless, the researchers admitted the subjects might have changed their voiding habits after contracting UTI, which may have affected the study findings.

Bottom Line

Listen to your body’s urge to urinate. While it is not conclusive on whether holding urine leads to UTI, most sources still advice to void urine regularly throughout the day. Drinking plenty of fluid will also allow frequent flushing of the urinary tract. If you or your loved one experience any discomfort in the lower abdomen or change in urinating pattern, book a doctor appointment with GetDoc.

Reference

1. Recurrent urinary tract infection management in women: A review (NCBI)
2. Everything you need to know about urinary tract infection (Healthline)
3. Is it safe to hold your pee? (Healthline)
4. What are urinary tract infections (UTIs)? (WebMD)
5. Risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infection in young women (J Infect Dis) 
6. Asymptomatic bacteriuria

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Tags

• Holding urine
• urinary tract infection
• UTI