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Nobel Hygiene

Urinary Frequency - A Brief Overview

Normal urination frequency differs from person to person. Most people’s urine cycles range between 4 and 10 visits to the toilet in 24 hours. The most important thing while speaking about the frequency of micturition is urinary frequency and urgency. A person with a normal urine cycle will have ample warning before the moment of urination and will not find it difficult to wait a few minutes at least before using the toilet. Furthermore, if a person drinks 2-4 litres of water each day, they should wait at least 2 hours between toilet visits.

If either of these two parameters are shifted, you could be facing urinary incontinence or overactive bladder syndrome. These could be caused because of various reasons such as the bladder not contracting fully, the bladder not emptying fully, nerve damage and diabetes. 

Most commonly higher frequency of micturition is caused by Overactive Bladder Syndrome. This occurs when the bladder contracts (causing urination) even when it does not have to—such as when it is only half or quarter full of urine. This results in an increased need to go to the toilet even when there is not much actual urine to dispense. 

Normal urination frequency also depends on the amount and types of fluid consumed in a day. Medicines called diuretics taken to control high blood pressure, for example, may cause increased urine flow. Taking supplements, steroids and drugs can also affect how many times urine passes in a day.

When The Urine Frequency Is Considered Abnormal

When was the last time you sat and pondered about your urination? If the answer is something like just this morning, or yesterday; if you’re always thinking about urinating, if you’re always on the lookout for a toilet, if you’re nervous about malls and parties because “What if the line in the toilet is too long?” or you’re here, reading this blog, because you googled something like ‘natural urination frequency’, chances are you are suffering from incontinence or overactive bladder syndrome. 

According to a research we conducted, most people suffer from frequent urination for nearly 1.5 years before speaking about it to family or consulting a doctor. While we understand the embarrassment and fear that comes with the symptoms of frequent urination, not treating it can only make matters worse. 

Thus, if you feel like you no longer have a normal urination frequency, or your work/life/sleep are disturbed due to constant visits to the toilet, it may be a good idea to visit the doctor. 

The doctor will require details from you on the urinary frequency and urgency you have been experiencing. It is thus a good idea to record the following before visiting them: 

  • How many times a day do you visit the toilet? 

  • What is the duration of each visit? 

  • How much urine do you pass on each visit? 

  • Do you leak urine?

  • How often do you feel a strong, uncontrollable urge to urinate? 

  • Is this strong urge followed by a large volume of urine? 

  • Do you take any medications for diabetes, etc?

  • What is your diet like? 

  • How much water and other liquids do you normally consume? 

  • How often do you have to get up in the middle of the night to urinate?

  • Do you have nighttime urination?

Keeping track of tips like these for 3-5 days before your doctor's appointment will help the doctor give you a faster, more accurate diagnosis.

What Symptoms Should You Be Aware Of?

Normal urination frequency is signified by spaced out and stress-free urination. You may be facing frequent urination if you experience any of the following urinary problems: 

  • Every 30 minutes or so, a strong urge to urinate

  • A strong need to urinate every half an hour

  • Urge to urinate strongly followed by a small/insignificant amount of urine

  • A strong urge to pass urine, only to discharge a very small or insignificant amount of urine

  • Bedwetting occurs when bladder control is lost, especially at night.

  • While urinating, you may experience pain or a burning sensation.

  • Urine with a peculiar colour

  • Facing difficulty while passing the urine

  • Throughout the day, there is a continuous trickle of urine.

All About Managing Frequent Urination Challenges

The important thing to note is that frequent urination is often a symptom of a disease and does not appear in isolation. This disease could be affecting the kidney, the ureters, urethra, the bladder or the nerves and muscles controlling the urinary system.

Some of these conditions that affect normal urination frequency include: 

  1. Changes in kidney function or kidney/bladder stones

  2. Prolapse or cystocele, or other damage to the pelvic muscles

  3. Pregnancy, or post pregnancy complications 

  4. Menopause 

  5. Diabetes 

  6. Diuretics 

  7. Excess alcohol, caffeine or fluids 

  8. Narrowing of the urethra

  9. Prostate issues 

  10. Radiation treatments in the lower body

  11. Urinary Tract Infection

How Friend’s Diapers Can Help

Akash Jain had a successful clothing business in a busy part of Mumbai. He would sit at his shop for over 12 hours a day managing his employees and interacting personally with customers. “That’s how you sell a sari,” he would say. However, in 2019 Jain suddenly shut shop, fired his employees and came home. He said he wanted to retire. His son, a banker, became solely responsible for their house of 8 people. The money became tight. Discord and unhappiness grew. The reason for all this? Frequent urination

Earlier when Jain had normal urination frequency, he could take the 5 minute walk to the public toilet in the marketplace. However, post prostate surgery it became more and more difficult to reach the toilet. On the way he’d run, panting heavily as his eyes would start watering and his urethra would threaten to burst. On most days he just about made it to the toilet, and then one day, he didn’t. 

A man who’d had a shop for years in this busy market, a man of repute, stood amid watermelon wallahs and incense sellers, his pajama wet with urine. He’d lost control. He’d done the ‘unthinkable’.  

There was nothing to do now, but to pack up shop and leave. Forever. 

We met Jain while conducting a research study for our diapers. What started as a small study eventually led to Mr Jain opening his shop again. “Friends diapers changed my life. They gave me confidence and took away my fear. I am very thankful,” he told us a month after he started using our diapers. 

So what worked for him? 

  1. The Design and Fit: Friends Dry Pants are designed like pull up underwear that can be worn easily. The material is slim and soft and does not show up under clothing. 

  2. Help with control: The Dry Pant in many ways is a means of being secure. Now, Jain knows that even if he does not make it to the toilet, his pants will not get wet and there will be no public embarrassment. 

  3. Odour Lock: Friends Dry pants come with odour lock technology to make sure the wearer remains fresh and odour free. 

  4. High absorption: On heavy work days users like Jain can wear dry pants for up to 8 hours, through various urine cycles without worrying about a leak. Friends diapers instantly convert urine to gel form making the way for a rapid dry, highly absorbent feel. 

Frequent urination can, indeed, be challenging to deal with. However, if managed correctly and with proper resources, it can be easier to live with. :)