Frequent urination can be a symptom of many different problems, ranging from minor to serious. Here are some possible causes of frequent urination:
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs): These are bacterial infections in your bladder, urethra, or other parts of your urinary tract. They include cystitis (bladder infection), urethritis (infection of the urethra), and pyelonephritis (kidney infection) .
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Overactive bladder syndrome: This condition causes the bladder muscle to contract, even when the bladder is nearly empty, creating a sudden and strong urge to urinate. It can even lead to incontinence.
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Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: This is a chronic condition that causes bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes pelvic pain. It can also cause frequent urination.
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Pregnancy: From the early weeks of pregnancy, the growing uterus places pressure on the bladder, causing frequent urination.
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Diabetes: Frequent urination with an abnormally large amount of urine is often an early symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes as the body tries to rid itself of unused glucose through the urine.
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Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): This is a common condition in older men where the prostate gland enlarges and presses against the urethra, causing urinary problems such as frequent urination.
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Bladder cancer: This is a rare cause of frequent urination, but it can happen.
Because the conditions that cause frequent urination range from minor to serious, it is important to speak to a healthcare provider about anything outside of your typical urination patterns.
