Here’s Exactly How Long It’s Considered Healthy To Hold Your Pee For, According to Urologists

When you’ve got to go—as in pee—you’ve got to go. Urinating is a natural way to release waste. Yet sometimes, nature calls at inopportune times, like long meetings that could’ve been short emails or while you’re stuck in traffic and the last rest stop before the toll booth was three exits back.

You may feel like you’re about to explode, but how long is it considered safe to hold pee? While you may be a bit sheepish to ask a doctor or urologist, it’s a valid question with an important answer.

🩺 SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week 💊

“The importance of regularly emptying your bladder can’t be understated,” says Dr. Daniel Phillips, MD, a urologist with Memorial Hermann. “There’s risk associated with holding your urine too long and having your bladder full for too long.”

How long is too long, though, and what are the risks of holding pee past the point of what’s considered healthy? Urologists discussed how long it’s safe to hold pee, factors that may make it important to go sooner and risks of “just holding it” for too long.

Related: A Urogynecologist Is Begging You to Break This Super Common Peeing Habit ASAP

How Long Can You Safely Hold Your Pee For?

It varies, but the three urologists we spoke with offered a similar timeframe. “I would generally advise patients, particularly those already dealing with urinary symptoms, to try and empty their bladders every two to three hours,” Dr. Phillips says.

Other experts gave slightly wider windows. “In general, most healthy adults can comfortably hold their urine for two to four hours,” says Dr. Debra L. Fromer, MD, the chief of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery in the department of urology at Hackensack University Medical Center. “However, it’s important to listen to your body and urinate when you feel the urge. Holding urine for longer periods can lead to discomfort, pain, and potential health risks.”

Dr. Bilal Chughtai, MD, the chief of urology at Plainview Hospital, gave a slightly longer window, saying most people can comfortably hold pee for three to four hours.

Unfortunately, Dr. Phillips says the pressure to hold it in is an occupational hazard for some, such as teachers and truck drivers who must go long hours without breaks. 

Related: How Many Times You Should Pee A Day

Factors That May Affect How Long You Can Safely Hold Pee

As you can tell from above, there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer to the length of time it’s safe to hold urine. Part of that is that we’re all different, and you may have one or more factors that make it more urgent for you to hit the bathroom pronto. Dr. Fromer says these factors include:

• Bladder capacity. Dr. Fromer says adults can hold about 10 to 12 ounces of urine, but capacity sizes vary. The average adult bladder can hold about 10-12 ounces of urine. However, individual bladder capacities can vary significantly.
• Hydration level. Drinking plenty of fluids, like plain water, is excellent for your health. Dr. Fromer notes that it also naturally makes you need to make more frequent trips to the bathroom.
• Diuretics. Caffeine and alcohol can lead to more rapid filling of your bladder because they have a diuretic effect on the kidneys, Dr. Fromer explains. She adds water pills have a similar effect.
• Certain medical conditions. People with diabetes, neurological issues or prostate conditions may need to pee more frequently. These conditions can affect bladder capacity, according to Dr. Fromer.
• Age. It might be more than a number, at least in terms of how long you can “just hold it. “As we age, our bladder muscles weaken, making it more difficult to hold urine for extended periods,” Dr. Fromer says.
• Psychological factors. Your mental health can affect your physical health — Dr. Fromer says stress and anxiety can heighten the urge to pee. 

Related: Is It Normal To Wake Up to Pee in the Middle of the Night?

Risks of Holding Pee for Too Long

1. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Almost half (40%) of women will get a UTI at some point in their life, and men can get them too. Holding your pee in for too long is one way to increase your risk of becoming part of the club. 

“When urine is held in the bladder for too long, bacteria have more time to multiply, increasing the risk of UTIs,” Dr. Fromer says.

While common and treatable with antibiotics, Dr. Fromer says UTIs are uncomfortable and require medical attention.

2. Leakage (short-term)

Hold your urine for too long, and—ready or not—it’s going to start coming out.

“The longer the bladder is full, the greater the likelihood of leakage of urine,” Dr. Fromer says. In the short-term, you might feel embarrassed that you “peed your pants” and need a swift outfit change. Dr. Phillips adds that women who already have incontinence issues, such as from pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, are more likely to experience leaking. 

3. A weaker bladder

Chronically holding your pee longer than a couple of hours can result in damage to the bladder. “Overfilling can stretch the bladder muscles and potentially weaken them over time, possibly affecting bladder emptying,” Dr. Chughtai says.

Dr. Fromer echoes these sentiments, adding that, ironically, holding urine too long can make you need to pee more frequently long-term. 

4. Kidney damage

Holding your pee for too long too often can also harm the kidneys.

“In more severe cases, the practice of holding your urine can increase the pressure in the bladder to the point that the kidneys can become swollen and damaged,” Dr. Phillips says.

Where To Turn if You’re Concerned About Pee

Your primary care doctor or urologist is a great place to start. “Addressing the reasons for having a weakened bladder and preventing further damage is the mainstay in how we manage this condition,” Dr. Phillips says. “Prevention is key, so talk to your doctors if you think you are having difficulty urinating or if you think you may be at risk.”

Dr. Fromer adds that women can benefit from speaking with a gynecologist who can address bladder and pelvic floor muscle issues, like stress incontinence. They can also refer you to a physical therapist.

“A physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which can help improve bladder control,” Dr. Fromer says.

People whose bladder issues are related to neurological conditions, like Parkinson’s disease, would benefit from speaking to a neurologist about their concerns. 

Up Next:

Related: Suddenly Lacking Bladder Control? Here Are 7 Surprising Ways To Help Get It Back

Sources:

• Dr. Daniel Phillips, MD, a urologist with Memorial Hermann
• Dr. Bilal Chughtai, MD, the chief of urologist at Plainview Hospital
• Dr. Debra L. Fromer, MD, the chief of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery in the department of urology at Hackensack University Medical Center
• Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections. National Center for Biotechnology Information.