Frequent Urination Problems in Women – Causes and Treatment

In a systematic review report, 15% of women experience an overactive bladder (OAB), a condition that is common among women in the country. Frequent urination in women may have many underlying causes, which often lead to discomfort and embarrassment, making them avoid social situations. The 2024 ICD-10 code for frequent urination is R35.0. Let’s take a look at how the condition is caused and what potential treatment methods are available.

Causes and triggers

• Pregnancy
  During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through numerous physical changes that make it difficult to control their bladder in the process. Essentially, hormonal changes, coupled with a developing fetus being pushed against your bladder constantly, can also lead to frequent urination and bathroom breaks for expecting mothers.
• Neurological disorders
  Individuals with underlying neurological disorders may experience urgency incontinence and OAB, primarily because of a brain, nerve, or spinal cord dysfunction. Therefore, women with neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with OAB.
• Diabetes
  Diabetes is a prevalent condition seen among women, with one in nine women being affected by it in the country. Women with diabetes experience various signs and symptoms, including frequent urination, which is quite common. Moreover, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves in the urinary tract, triggering urinary tract problems. Therefore, women with diabetes are more likely to develop an overactive bladder than those with normal blood sugar levels.
• Menopause
  Estrogen levels tend to drop during perimenopause and menopause. As a result, the bladder tissues may weaken over time. So, many women may experience OAB during their perimenopausal phase, sometimes in conjunction with UTIs.
• Bladder stones
  Tumors and bladder stones can severely affect the functioning of the bladder. Therefore, many people with bladder stones may experience OAB and frequent urination.
• Age
  Age is a risk factor for OAB, and many older women suffer from this condition. On average, those who are 65 years of age or older are more likely to develop the risk of this condition. However, some women may experience it even at 45 years of age.
• Ongoing treatments
  In some health cases, OAB may be triggered as a side effect of an ongoing treatment.
• Anxiety
  Usually, anxiety-causing situations increase stress hormone levels in the body. Individuals with anxiety disorders may have constantly elevated adrenaline levels, which can have adverse effects on the body, including kidney dysfunction. As a result, anxiety disorders can increase one’s risk of having OAB. Women are almost twice as likely as men to develop anxiety, which puts them at a greater risk of experiencing frequent urination.

Symptoms of overactive bladder

• Urgency incontinence
  Urgency incontinence is when one needs to pass urine urgently several times during the day and night. It may also lead to involuntary urination and is a major symptom of OAB.
• Bladder spasms
  These spasms are essentially cramps and pain in the lower abdomen. In many cases, OAB may be accompanied by such spasms, which increase one’s discomfort.
• Disturbed sleep
  Many patients with OAB may need to pass urine frequently throughout the night, a condition called nocturia. Frequent nighttime urination can cause severe sleep disturbances.

Treatment options and remedies

• Kegel exercises
  Many doctors suggest Kegel exercises, like pelvic floor exercises, as remedies for bladder leakage. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help control the bladder better, reducing OAB symptoms.
• Bladder training
  During bladder training, patients learn to control the urge to urinate for specific durations. Typically, the training lasts about thirty minutes until one builds the ability to hold urine at a comfortable level.
• Biofeedback
  Electric signals are fastened to the person’s body to receive information about internal activity. The sensors help you make conscious changes to control urination, such as strengthening your pelvic floor muscles.
• Urinary incontinence products
  In severe cases, you may consider investing in urinary incontinence products like adult diapers and reusable underpants. Some adult diapers are reusable, whereas others need to be disposed of after every use. Similarly, reusable underpants that resemble regular underwear help prevent leakage, eliminating the need for extra pads.

If one has frequent urination, it is best to follow some practices to help alleviate the condition. For example, avoiding excessive fluid intake in the evenings can help reduce the number of restroom visits at night. Moreover, limit or eliminate bladder stimulants like caffeine and maintain a healthy, balanced diet. If the condition persists, consult a doctor for prompt diagnosis and a specific treatment plan.