Frequent urination explained

Frequent urination
Synonyms:	Urinary frequency, pollakiuria
Field:	Urology

Frequent urination, or urinary frequency (sometimes called pollakiuria), is the need to urinate more often than usual. Diuretics are medications that increase urinary frequency. Nocturia is the need of frequent urination at night.^[1] The most common cause of this condition for women and children is a urinary tract infection. The most common cause of urinary frequency in older men is an enlarged prostate.^[2]

Frequent urination is strongly associated with frequent incidents of urinary urgency, which is the sudden need to urinate. It is often, though not necessarily, associated with urinary incontinence and polyuria (large total volume of urine). However, in other cases, urinary frequency involves only normal volumes of urine overall.^[3]

Definition

The normal number of times varies according to the age of the person. Among young children, urinating 8 to 14 times each day is typical. This decreases to 6–12 times per day for older children, and to 4–6 times per day among teenagers.^[4]

Causes

The most common causes of frequent urination are:

• interstitial cystitis^[5]
• urinary tract infection^[6]
• enlarged prostate
• urethral inflammation or infection
• vaginal inflammation or infection.

Less common causes of frequent urination are:

• alcoholism
• anxiety
• bladder cancer
• caffeine^[7]
• diabetes
• pregnancy^[8]
• psychiatric medications such as clozapine
• radiation therapy to the pelvis
• brain or nervous system diseases
• stroke
• tumor in the pelvis
• kidney stones.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of the underlying cause requires a careful and thorough evaluation.^[9]

Treatment depends on the underlying cause or condition.^[10]

See also

• Polyuria
• Nocturnal enuresis

Notes and References

1. Web site: Frequent or urgent urination: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. 5 December 2017. medlineplus.gov. en. 2017-12-19.
2. News: Urinary Frequency - Genitourinary Disorders - Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Merck Manuals Professional Edition. 2017-12-19. en-US.
3. Web site: Frequent urination . Mayo Clinic . 12 July 2005 . 10 May 2020.
4. Gary Robert Fleisher, Stephen Ludwig, Fred M. Henretig. (2006) Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. . p. 663
5. Web site: What is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?. February 9, 2016. www.cdc.gov. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. en-us. 2017-12-19.
6. Web site: Urinary Tract Infection, Community Antibiotic Use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2017-10-04. www.cdc.gov. en-us. 2017-12-19.
7. Bradley CS, Erickson BA, Messersmith EE, Pelletier-Cameron A, Lai HH, Kreder KJ, Yang CC, Merion RM, Bavendam TG, Kirkali Z . Evidence of the Impact of Diet, Fluid Intake, Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Systematic Review . J. Urol. . 198 . 5 . 1010–1020 . November 2017 . 28479236 . 10.1016/j.juro.2017.04.097 . 5654651 .
8. Web site: What are some common signs of pregnancy?. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 14 March 2015. July 12, 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150319160741/http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/Pages/signs.aspx. 19 March 2015. dmy-all.
9. Gaschignard. N. Bouchot. O. [Micturation abnormalities. Pollakiuria, dysuria, vesicular retention, burning micturation, precipitant urination: diagnostic orientation].. La Revue du praticien. 15 June 1999. 49. 12. 1361–3. 10488671.
10. Kuffel. A. Kapitza. KP. Löwe. B. Eichelberg. E. Gumz. A. [Chronic pollakiuria: cystectomy or psychotherapy].. Der Urologe. Ausg. A. October 2014. 53. 10. 1495–9. 10.1007/s00120-014-3618-x. 25214314. 195681830.