Friday, May 24, 2013

Frequent or urgent urination

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Urgent urination; Urinary frequency or urgency


Home Care

Follow the therapy recommended by your doctor to treat the underlying cause of your urinary frequency or urgency. It may help to keep a diary of times and amounts of urine voided to bring with you to the doctor.

In some cases, you may experience some urinary incontinence for a period of time. You may need to take steps to protect your clothing and bedding.


Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor right away if:

  • You have fever, back or side pain, vomiting, or shaking chills
  • You have increased thirst or appetite, fatigue, or sudden weight loss

Also call your doctor if:

  • You have urinary frequency or urgency, but you are not pregnant and you are not drinking excessive amounts of fluid
  • You have incontinence or have altered your lifestyle because of your symptoms
  • You have bloody or cloudy urine
  • There is a discharge from the penis or vagina

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. Medical history questions may include:

  • When did the increased urinary frequency start?
  • How many times each day are you urinating?
  • Is there more frequent urination during the day or at night?
  • Do you have an increased amount of urine?
  • Has there been a change in the color of your urine? Does it appear lighter, darker, or more cloudy than usual? Have you noticed any blood?
  • Do you have pain when urinating, or a burning sensation?
  • Do you have other symptoms? Increased thirst? Pain in your abdomen? Pain in your back? Fever?
  • Do you have difficulty starting the flow of urine?
  • Are you drinking more fluids than usual?
  • Have you had a recent bladder infection?
  • Are you pregnant?
  • What medications are you taking?
  • Have you had any previous urinary problems?
  • Have you recently changed your diet?
  • Do you drink beverages containing alcohol or caffeine?

Tests that may be done include:

  • Urinalysis
  • Urine culture and sensitivity tests
  • Cystometry (a measurement of the pressure within the bladder)
  • Cystoscopy
  • Neurological tests (for some urgency problems)
  • Ultrasonography (such as an abdominal ultrasound or a pelvic ultrasound)

Treatment is determined by the cause of the urgency and frequency. Antibiotics and medicine may be prescribed to lessen the discomfort, if needed.


Review Date: 06/17/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)