Putting off going to the toilet now and then is usually not a problem, but if it becomes a habit it can affect bladder health. Constantly holding on to urine can contribute to weaker bladder muscles, a tendency to urinary tract infections, incomplete bladder emptying and, later on, urinary incontinence. Listening to your bladder's signals and getting into a regular toilet routine are the basis of preventing these problems.
Long meetings, journeys, shifts, the five minutes you never quite find between lessons... Many people get into the habit of putting off the toilet without realising it. Over the years, this seemingly harmless behaviour can change the way the bladder works.
Effects on the Bladder
The bladder is designed to be emptied when it reaches a certain level of fullness. Staying full for long periods all the time strains this pattern and over time can increase the risk of the following problems:
- Weakening of the bladder muscles
- A tendency to urinary tract infections
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Changes in the sensation of needing to pass urine
- Urinary incontinence in later years
Urine that sits in the bladder for a long time provides a good environment for bacteria to grow. This can pave the way for recurrent urinary tract infections in particular.
As for the muscles, constantly holding on stretches the bladder wall more than normal. Over time the muscle can lose its strength and it may become harder to empty the bladder completely. Repeatedly suppressing the signal that the bladder is full can also affect how the bladder senses that signal; sudden urgency or unexpected urinary incontinence can develop later in this way.
Who Is More Likely to Do This?
Some jobs and working patterns make putting off the toilet almost unavoidable:
- People who work at a desk for long periods
- Teachers
- Healthcare workers
- Drivers
- Frequent travellers
- Anyone with a demanding workload
If you are in one of these groups, it is worth taking extra care to build a regular toilet routine.
What Can You Do?
- Avoid putting off the need to pass urine as far as possible.
- Empty your bladder before meetings, lessons or journeys.
- Build trips to the toilet into your daily schedule.
- Drink enough water and spread your fluids through the day.
- Keep an eye on any changes in your urinary habits.
Which Symptoms Should Prompt a Visit to the Doctor?
If you keep needing to pass urine often, have sudden urgency, strain to pass urine, feel that your bladder has not emptied fully, have recurrent urinary tract infections or leak urine, it is worth seeing a urologist.
