Frequent urination: causes and what to do

Normally you pee several times a day without it getting in the way. If you suddenly need the bathroom all the time, or get up several times at night to pee (nocturia), it is worth finding the cause. According to MedlinePlus, the most common causes are:

• Urinary tract infection: with burning, urgency and sometimes blood.
• Enlarged prostate in middle-aged and older men: a weak stream, trouble starting, peeing at night.
• Caffeine and alcohol: coffee, energy drinks and alcohol make you pee more.
• Inflammation or infection of the urethra or vagina, such as some STIs or vaginitis.

Less common causes include poorly controlled diabetes, pregnancy, diuretics (water pills for blood pressure), overactive bladder and anxiety.

Yes. According to the CDC, peeing a lot, being very thirsty and hungry, losing weight without trying, tiredness, blurry vision and repeated urinary or yeast infections are signs of diabetes. Puerto Rico has the highest rate of diagnosed diabetes in adults of any US state or territory: 14.4% in 2021, according to the CDC.

If you have those symptoms, the doctor gives you an order for a glucose and hemoglobin A1c test at a lab near you. If your sugar is very high with vomiting, fast breathing or confusion, go to the ER: read high blood sugar. For long-term control, see our type 2 diabetes page.

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A doctor visit costs US$79, the same price for every age, with no membership. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the visit can’t take place. The lab charges for the tests separately. For existing patients, reviewing the results the doctor ordered is a US$49 follow-up visit. See all prices.

If you have no warning signs, these changes help while you find the cause:

• Cut back on coffee, tea, energy drinks and alcohol, especially in the afternoon and evening.
• Drink most of your fluids earlier in the day, while still staying hydrated in the heat.
• Do not stop blood pressure medicines without advice: the doctor can review the timing.
• For 2 or 3 days, write down how often you pee and how much you drink; it helps a lot in the visit.

Peeing more is normal in pregnancy. If you have burning, fever or blood in your urine, get seen soon; your pregnancy care is with your OB-GYN.

In children, peeing a lot with heavy thirst, new bedwetting, hunger and weight loss can be type 1 diabetes and need same-day evaluation. Patients under 21 need a parent or legal guardian on camera for the whole visit, with ID.

For your safety, go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have any of these signs. See when to go to the ER.

• You cannot pee at all, or your bladder feels full and painful
• Fever with chills and pain in your back or side
• Very high sugar with vomiting, fast breathing, confusion or heavy drowsiness
• A child with heavy thirst and peeing who is also vomiting or very listless