Over time, holding pee in too often can strain, and thus weaken, your bladder muscles, which then cannot generate enough force to empty the urine, experts said.
In more extreme cases, experts said, holding pee can cause urine to back up into the kidneys, which can lead to infections, kidney damage or hydronephrosis.
For the average healthy person, however, holding your pee for up to a few hours a few times a week isn’t likely to cause harm, experts said.
Those with neurogenic bladder or kidney disorders are also at greater risk of harm from holding their pee.
If you’re holding your pee because you’ve noticed you’re running to the toilet unusually often, that could be a sign of overactive bladder syndrome, diabetes or a UTI, experts said.
Persons:
Jason Kim, “, ”, Kim, That’s, David Shusterman, Jamin, ” Brahmbhatt, ” Kim, Shusterman
Organizations:
CNN, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Continence, Urology, Orlando Health
Locations:
Stony, Long, , New York, New York City