Common causes of frequent urination in men

Do you find yourself rushing to the bathroom every 20 minutes? If yes, then this article is for you. Frequent urination in men is a commonly shared woe. Most men, especially in the age group of over 50 years, experience distressing symptoms associated with urination. In this article, we will explore the various reasons for frequent urination and ways to manage it. 

In the piece below, Dr Shalabh Agrawal, a leading urologist at the CK Birla Hospital, explains the reasons for frequent urination in males. 

What is meant by frequent urination in men?

Urination is our body’s natural mechanism of getting rid of waste fluids. Your urinary tract includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. 

Urine is produced in the kidneys where the waste and toxins are filtered from the blood. Then the urine flows through the ureters and gets stored in the bladder. Through the urethra, the urine is passed from the bladder and out of our bodies. On average, a person urinates nearly 4-8 times during the day. 

Frequent urination in men is exactly what the name entails. It is majorly a symptom of an underlying condition that causes a person to pass urinate several times (more than 4-8 times) throughout a day. In this condition, a man experiences a reduced ability to hold urine in the bladder and an increased urge to pass urine. 

Frequent urination is often associated with an underlying health condition. It can even compel you to wake up several times in the night to urinate. The condition in which your bladder forces you to wake up in the middle of the night is known as nocturia. 

Who experiences frequent urination? 

Everyone, irrespective of age and gender, can be affected by frequent urination. However, some men have an increased risk of suffering from this problem than others. 

Older men, above the age of 50 and men with an enlarged prostate are at a higher risk of being affected by frequent urination. 

What are the causes of frequent urination?

As mentioned above, frequent urination is a sign and symptom of another health condition. Experiencing an increased need to urinate implies that there may be something wrong with a part of your urinary tract. 

There are several different causes of frequent urination. Various health issues can affect the organs of your urinary tract. 

Here are some common reasons for frequent urination in men:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Urinary tract infection in men is a highly common bladder infection. UTI is classified into two types – the upper tract UTI (the one that affects the ureters or kidneys) and the lower tract UTI (the one that affects the bladder or urethra). UTI is more commonly found in women, as compared to men. However, the prevalence of this infection in men is also rising. 

Along with frequent urination, the symptoms of UTI include painful urination, burning sensation while urinating, pain in the lower abdomen and blood in the urine. 

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH): Benign prostate hyperplasia or prostate enlargement is among the top causes of frequent urination in men. It is an age-related health condition that leads to abnormal growth of the prostate. The enlarged prostate, then, begins to press against the urethra and causes the bladder to weaken. 

Common symptoms of BPH, besides frequent urination, are a feeling that the bladder is full, even right after urinating, a weak flow or stream of urine, disrupted urine flow and more. 

Bladder stones: If you are wondering why frequent urination occurs, bladder stones may be the answer. Bladder stones are small hard deposits of minerals that form inside the bladder. This condition happens when minerals found in the urine crystalise and clump together. 

Changes in the urine colour, blood in urine, a disrupted flow and increased urge to urinate are common causes of bladder stones. 

Prostatitis:  The prostate gland sits right below your bladder. It is responsible for the production of seminal fluid. Prostatitis is a condition that causes the prostate gland to swell and become inflamed. It is a common condition that mostly affects the health of men over the age of 50 years. 

Frequent urination symptoms can indicate the presence of this ailment. Other common signs include pain in the groin, genitals or pelvic area and flu-like symptoms. 

Urinary incontinence: Urinary incontinence is the inability to hold urine often leading to involuntary leakage. Simply put, urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Incontinence is widely different from frequent urination. Urinary incontinence is associated with urine leaking while frequent urination is related to an increased frequency. 

There are different types and symptoms of urinary incontinence such as stress incontinence, urge incontinence, functional incontinence and overflow incontinence.  

Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic condition that leads to increased levels of sugar in the blood. The kidneys of a diabetic person have to work extra to filter excessive blood sugar. Sometimes, the kidneys cannot function properly due to which the extra glucose is excreted from your body through urine. Excretion of sugar can also lead to dehydration. 

Frequent urination symptoms are common in a person suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes. 

Interstitial cystitis: Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome is a chronic condition that leads to pain and pressure in the bladder. Interstitial cystitis is more commonly found in women as compared to men. 

Common symptoms include chronic or intermittent pain, pressure or discomfort in the bladder, frequent urination day and night. 

If you are wondering what is the reason for frequent urination, one of the above conditions may be your answer. However, only an experienced urologist can diagnose the problem correctly. 

How to control frequent urination? | Diagnosis

The management or treatment of frequent urination depends upon its underlying cause. If the symptoms begin to disrupt the quality of your life, you should instantly seek medical intervention. 

Your urologist will perform a variety of tests and analysis to diagnose the correct cause of frequent urination. Here is what you can expect during the diagnosis:

• Detailed consultation: Your healthcare provider will ask you a variety of questions. They will aim to get a better understanding of your symptoms and your medical history of the illness.  
• Physical exam: Your doctor will analyse your general wellbeing. At the physical exam, you will be checked for your weight, blood pressure, heart rate and overall health. 
• Urine analysis: Urine analysis is a series of tests for visual and microscopic examination of the components of urine such as the presence of blood, bacteria, red blood cells, white blood cells, crystals, proteins, pH and more. 
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound scans of the kidney or bladders can help your doctor to visualise abnormalities. 
• Urodynamic test: Through urodynamic tests, your doctor assesses the strength and effectiveness of your bladder. 

Your healthcare provider may order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis if they suspect the need for it. 

How to stop frequent urination in men? | Treatment 

The treatment of frequent urination depends upon the reason behind it. Your healthcare provider will aim to manage or treat the underlying cause leading to urinary symptoms. 

If you are passing urine frequently due to diabetes, your doctor will offer effective management of your blood sugar levels. If the same is caused due to an infection such as UTI, then you will be offered certain medications to treat the bacterial infection. 

Along with medication, your healthcare provider will help you regain bladder control through training and exercises. There are different forms of bladder training techniques used by doctors to control the constant urge to urinate male.

• Kegel exercises: Kegel exercises are helpful in strengthening the muscles below the bladder and control urination. 
• Bladder training: Your healthcare provider will assist you to train your bladder and control urination for longer than usual. 

How to stop frequent urination naturally?

Frequent urination can easily translate into a habit. It is, however, possible to effectively control the urgency through some natural measures, such as:

• Monitoring fluid intake: You can prevent increased frequent urination by carefully monitoring the intake of fluids throughout the day. You should make sure to not drink excessive fluids while maintaining a state of hydration. 
• Limit alcohol & caffeine: Caffeinated beverages can irritate your bladder and lead to an increased urge to urinate. 
• Eat high-fibre foods: Foods rich in fibre content are known to help prevent constipation and improve the passing of urine. 

The concluding note

Frequent urination in men is a leading cause of distress in older men. This condition can also equally impact younger men. 

If you are experiencing increased frequency to urinate along with symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the lower back or side, changes in urine or abnormal discharge, you should immediately seek medical intervention. 

For more information or personalised guidance on men’s urinary health, book an appointment with Dr Shalabh Agarwal, a leading urologist at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon. 

FAQs

Ques: What is the cause of frequent urination in males?

Ans: There are several reasons for frequent urination in men including prostate problems, urinary tract infection, sexually transmitted infection, diabetes and more. 

Ques: How many times a day should a man urinate?

Ans: Normally, a man should urinate four to eight times a day. 

Ques: When should you see a doctor about frequent urination?

Ans: You should see a doctor if you experience fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, cloudy or smelly urine, abnormal discharge and loss of appetite along with frequent urination. 

Ques: Is frequent urination at night a sign of diabetes?

Ans: Yes, diabetes can cause frequent urination in the day and even at night. 

Ques: Is frequent urination bad for the kidneys?

Ans: Yes, frequent urination can cause damage to kidney function.