I’m a urologist – you’ve been peeing all wrong – here are the 7 worst mistakes you’re making

PEEING is such a routine activity, you wouldn’t think there’s a right or wrong way to do it.

Urologists beg to differ.

It turns out, bad peeing habits could saddle you with a variety of urinary and bladder issues – both in the long and short term.

Urologists have narrowed it down to seven mistakes you might be making when you wee…

1. Holding it in 

We’ve all had to struggle through a long car journey or a concert with no access to a toilet – but urologists have warned against making a habit of holding in your pee.

But Dr. Evan Goldfischer, president of the national non-profit urology trade association LUPGA, likened putting off peeing to a stagnant pond.

“The water will grow will algae and bacteria,” he told TODAY.com.

A full bladder is just as susceptible to infections because bacteria can multiply.

Urologist and chief medical officer of Odela Healthmake Dr Ashley Winter said you should drink lots of water and urinate when you bladder starts to feel full to keep things flowing through it.

Meanwhile, Dr Goldfischer said holding pee in can lead to your bladder stretching to much, causing loss of bladder function.

Think of an elastic band that can’t ping back to its original shape, he added.

But if you can’t hold in your wee at all and have frequent leaks, you should speak to a urologist or pelvic floor therapist.

2. Not emptying your bladder all the way

Not getting all your pee out can also increase your risk of urinary infection and bladder stretching, Dr Goldfischer said.

You might not even be aware you’re not fully emptying your bladder if you have a condition called urinary retention – this can lead to leaking between wees and urinary tract infections.

Possible causes range from narrowing or blockage in the urethra (the tube that carries urine from you bladder out of your body), to weak bladder and pelvic floor muscles and constipation.

Make sure to speak to a urologist if your bladder doesn’t feel empty after peeing.

Symptoms might include abdominal bloating, urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections, an increased urge to wee more frequently, difficulty getting started and producing a weak or interrupted stream.

3. Peeing too often

Dr Winter said it was technically possible for someone to have a “small bladder,” but it’s usually not the case.

“Most people who say they have a small bladder have a normal bladder, and they’re really talking about their threshold for discomfort.”

Urinating more than eight or nine times a day could mean you have an overactive bladder, though this varies by age, lifestyle and health, Dr Winter said.

Peeing that much could also hint at a UTI, kidney infection, bladder stones or diabetes, or a prostate problem for men.

Winter suggested asking yourself whether your peeing frequency is disrupting your sleep, job and social life – if yes, it’s time to see a urologist.

According to the NHS, it’s normal to visit the toilet between four and eight times a day.

4. Too much caffeine or alcohol

A morning coffee or an evening drink are staples for many of us.

But both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics and can increase how often you need to pee and can irritate your bladder, Dr Goldfischer warned.

Both can also worsen symptoms of an overactive bladder, so people with this condition, especially, should watch their intake, he added.

Because they make you pee more, both caffeine and alcohol can be dehydrating if you’re not drinking enough water.

Dr Winter noted that dehydration can lead to kidney stones and other health problems.

You’ll know you’re not drinking enough water if your urine is dark and concentrated, she said.

The NHS states we should be drinking six to eight cups of fluid each day, including water, low-fat milk and sugar free drinks.

5. Not checking out recurring UTIs

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in your bladder, urethra or kidneys most commonly caused by bacteria.

Symptoms can include pain with urination and a constant “need to go” feeling.

They tend to be more common in women as a shorter urethra makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract, Dr Winter said.

Dr Goldfischer added: “There’s evidence that [having] a lot of urinary tract infections can lead to scarring in the bladder or the prostate, which can affect your ability to urinate.”

You should see a urologist if you’re having more than three UTIs a year, Dr Winter urged.

They can be treated with antibiotics but could spread to the kidneys if not seen to.

6. Dismissing pink or reddish pee

If you’ve recently eaten some beetroot, there’s no need to be alarmed by pinkish or reddish urine.

If you haven’t, red-tinged wee can be a warning sign and you should seek medical help, Dr Winter warned.

Blood in your wee isn’t always a red flag but it could indicate an infection or even bladder cancer.

Dr Goldfischer added: “Someone who has blood in their urine and a history of smoking… should definitely get to a urologist and have it looked at.”

Dr Shree Datta, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at MyHealthcare Clinic in London, said you should be paying attention to the colour of your pee, especially if it’s orange.

7. Taking big, frequent doses of vitamin C

Dr Winter said she’d seen an uptick of people overdoing it with vitamin C and warned that taking too much can cause kidney stones which can cause tummy pain, sickness and a high temperature.

Almost nobody needs a huge dose of the vitamin and you can make sure your body has enough by consuming fresh fruits and vegetables.