SYMPTOMS

What is frequent urination? What are its manifestations?

Frequent urination refers to a significant increase in the urge to urinate, sometimes even needing to urinate every few minutes, with each urination producing only a few milliliters of urine^[1,2].

Normally, adults urinate about 4–6 times during the day and 0–2 times at night, with each urination producing approximately 200–300 milliliters of urine^[2]. Under normal water intake, if the number of urinations in 24 hours is ≥ 8 times, nighttime urination is ≥ 2 times, and is accompanied by a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, frequent urination or nocturia should be considered^[3].

Note: Frequent urination is not always pathological, as factors such as water intake, environmental temperature, and individual physiological states can also affect urination frequency. If frequent urination is suspected, one should review their diet and urination habits and consult a doctor for a comprehensive evaluation.

What symptoms often accompany frequent urination?

Frequent urination is often accompanied by other urinary system symptoms, such as urgency, dysuria, or sudden interruption of urine flow.

TREATMENT

What to do about frequent urination?

• For persistent frequent urination, after ruling out physiological or psychological factors, actively identify the cause and provide targeted treatment;
• Ensure adequate hydration for physiological needs while avoiding excessive intake of fluids, especially stimulants like coffee, tea, or alcohol;
• Manage stress and anxiety, maintain a positive mood, and avoid excessive worry.

How to prevent frequent urination in daily life?

• Stay warm in cold weather to avoid catching a chill;
• Maintain genital hygiene to prevent urinary tract infections;
• Adjust your mindset when feeling anxious or stressed, striving to stay calm;
• Avoid excessive fluid intake at once and refrain from drinking water two hours before bedtime to prevent sleep disturbances.

DIAGNOSIS

When Should You Seek Medical Attention for Frequent Urination?

Patients with frequent urination should actively seek medical care if they experience the following conditions (including but not limited to):

• Persistent frequent urination that severely affects work, daily life, or sleep;
• Accompanied by discomfort such as painful urination, urgency, fever, or back pain;
• Signs of lower limb weakness or spinal cord injury (e.g., transverse sensory loss, changes in anal sphincter tone, or loss of anal reflex);
• Accompanied by hematuria, pyuria, or abnormal urine odor;
• Middle-aged or elderly men over 50 with frequent urination, difficulty urinating, hesitancy, weak stream, or increased nocturia;
• Accompanied by other symptoms like dry lips or dry mouth.

Which Department Should You Visit for Frequent Urination?

Urology or Nephrology.

POTENTIAL DISEASES

What are the common causes of frequent urination?

The following are common factors that cause frequent urination, most of which are unrelated to kidney problems.

• Simple physiological factors: Pregnancy, excessive water intake, cold stimulation, fatigue, decreased immunity, and mental stress may all lead to increased urination frequency, but these are temporary^[4].
• Reduced bladder urine storage capacity: Frequent urination is often caused by this reason^[5].
• Bladder-related diseases: Conditions such as inflammation, stones, foreign bodies, tumors, neurological disorders, or diseases of surrounding tissues (e.g., uterine fibroids, pelvic abscesses) can reduce the bladder's urine storage capacity. The urge to urinate occurs when the bladder holds less urine than normal, leading to frequent urination^[2,5].
• Urinary obstruction: Conditions like urethral stricture, prostatitis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia increase urinary resistance, potentially causing residual urine and reduced functional bladder capacity. Early symptoms often include frequent urination and nocturia.
• Psychological factors: Long-term anxiety, fear, or excessive tension can also cause frequent urination, typically occurring during the day and disappearing at night^[2].
• Other diseases: Conditions such as diabetes, diabetes insipidus, the polyuric phase of acute renal failure, and primary hyperaldosteronism often lead to frequent urination accompanied by increased urine volume^[4].