We all have been busy doing something important or being on a long car ride. Then out of nowhere, you get the urge to urinate. Some people fight the feeling of using the restroom, while others can’t hold it and go right away. But if you are someone who can wait and hold it, how long can you hold your pee before it gets too much, and what happens if you hold in your pee? Today we will explore the consequences of holding in urine and if there is any danger to your health.

How the Bladder Works

A healthy bladder can hold about 2 cups of urine to be considered full. Your body takes 9 to 10 hours to produce 2 cups of urine, and adults eliminate about a quart and a half each day. To eliminate your pee, the nerve endings in the bladder wall send a message to the brain that you need to urinate. People tend to empty their bladders around 4 to 8 times a day. Some other factors that can make someone urinate more are certain medications prescribed by a doctor, the number of fluids someone drinks, and certain food you eat can make you urinate more. 

What Happens if You Hold in Your Pee?

Holding your pee is an uncomfortable feeling. If you continue to frequently hold your pee, there are many consequences that you may face later in different situations. You will not have kidney stones if you decide to hold your bladder, but the muscles will get weak over time. Having weak bladder muscles can lead to urinary incontinence. In some cases, you can have a UTI from not urinating frequently enough. 

How Long Can You Hold Your Pee? 

There is no set time that anyone can hold their pee. Some people can hold it for about 3 to 4 hours, and some can’t. Putting pressure on your bladder can cause the sensation of peeing. Sitting in a different position can help you hold your bladder longer. Changing the temperature can help keep you from urinating. Some people say warmer temperatures help hold it longer. Staying still can also help hold your bladder. There have been some cases where people have held their bladder and their bladder stretched to hold more urine. There are no records of someone holding in their urine for a long period of time.

The Best Option 

Though these rarely happen, holding your pee may have some serious consequences. Whether you decide to hold your pee for 5 hours or 5 minutes, there will be a great chance that you will be okay and have nothing to worry about. But if you’re experiencing frequent urination or you are urinating against your will, you should see a urologist. At Happy Urology, we will be happy to help you with all your needs or concerns. Contact us today for the best South Florida urology care. We provide many urological services you may need.