Understanding and treating frequent urination and urgency

When the constant need to rush to the toilet disrupts your life, specialist care can help you regain control

Frequent urination and urgency can be exhausting and limiting, affecting your work, social life, sleep, and overall wellbeing.

If you feel like you’re constantly planning your life around the nearest bathroom, or if the sudden, overwhelming urge to urinate disrupts your daily activities, you’re not alone. These symptoms can have many causes, and with proper diagnosis and treatment, most women can experience significant improvement.

At The Women’s Health Vulvo-Vaginal & Genitourinary Clinic, we specialise in diagnosing and treating the underlying causes of frequent urination and urgency. Our team can help you find relief and regain control of your bladder.

You don't have to plan your life around the nearest bathroom. Let us help you find answers.

Do you have problematic urinary frequency and urgency?

You may need specialist assessment if you experience:

Urinating more than 8 times during the day
Waking 2 or more times at night to urinate
Sudden, overwhelming urges to urinate that are difficult to delay
Rushing to the toilet to avoid accidents
Planning activities around bathroom availability
Avoiding social situations due to bladder concerns
Leaking urine when you can’t reach the toilet in time
Impact on your sleep, work, and quality of life

If this sounds familiar, it’s time for a specialist assessment.

Common causes of frequent urination and urgency

1. Overactive Bladder (OAB)

A condition characterised by sudden, uncontrolled urges to urinate, often accompanied by frequency and nocturia (waking at night to urinate). The bladder muscle contracts involuntarily.

2. Bladder Pain Syndrome (Interstitial Cystitis)

Chronic bladder inflammation causing pain, pressure, and severe urgency and frequency, often without infection.

3. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Acute infections cause temporary urgency and frequency. Recurrent UTIs can lead to chronic symptoms.

4. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Tight, overactive pelvic floor muscles can contribute to urgency and frequency by irritating the bladder and urethra.

5. Hormonal Changes (Menopause)

Low oestrogen levels after menopause can cause urinary symptoms, including urgency and frequency.

6. Excessive Fluid Intake

Drinking too much fluid, particularly caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, can cause frequency.

7. Medications

Diuretics (water pills) and some other medications can increase urination frequency.

8. Diabetes

Uncontrolled blood sugar can cause excessive urination and thirst.

9. Anxiety and Stress

Stress can worsen urgency and frequency, creating a cycle of anxiety about finding a bathroom.

How we diagnose and treat frequency and urgency

Comprehensive history

We’ll discuss:

How often you urinate during the day and night
The nature and severity of urgency
Fluid intake patterns
Medications and medical conditions
Impact on your daily life and sleep
Previous treatments and their effectiveness

Thorough examination

A careful examination can help:

Rule out pelvic organ prolapse
Assess pelvic floor muscle function
Identify signs of vaginal atrophy

Appropriate testing

When needed, we may perform:

Urinalysis and urine culture to rule out infection
Post-void residual measurement to check bladder emptying
Urodynamic testing (in selected cases) to assess bladder function

Personalised treatment plan

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:

Behavioural modifications
Pelvic floor physiotherapy
Medications
Lifestyle modifications
Advanced treatments (if needed)

Frequently asked questions

Q: How often should I normally urinate?

A: Most people urinate 6-8 times during the day and 0-1 times at night. More than 8 times during the day or more than once at night may indicate a problem.

Q: Should I drink less water to reduce frequency?

A: No, restricting fluids can make symptoms worse and lead to dehydration and concentrated urine, which irritates the bladder. The goal is to drink an appropriate amount (about 1.5-2 litres per day) and time your intake appropriately.

Q: Will I need to take medication forever?

A: Not necessarily. Many women improve with behavioural modifications and pelvic floor physiotherapy alone. If medication is needed, some women can eventually reduce or stop it once symptoms are controlled.

Q: Can bladder retraining really work?

A: Yes, bladder retraining is highly effective for many women. It involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits to retrain the bladder to hold more urine and reduce urgency.

Q: Is urgency and frequency just a normal part of ageing?

A: No, whilst these symptoms are common as we age, they are not a normal part of ageing and should not be accepted as such. Effective treatments are available.

View all FAQ

Take the first step towards bladder control

Frequent urination and urgency don't have to control your life. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can reduce symptoms and regain your freedom and confidence.