According to the NHS, it’s normal to visit the toilet anywhere between four and eight times during the day. Experts also say that going once during the night isn’t necessarily something to worry about either.
But going more frequently than this could be a sign that something is wrong. It can also be disruptive to your general day-to-day life.
There are several different conditions that could lead to more trips to the bathroom. Some are related to lifestyle, while others might require medical help.
One of the most common causes of frequent urination is a urinary tract infection (UTI). If this is the case, you may also notice pain or a burning sensation when urinating.
UTIs may be treated with antibiotics, but they’re not always needed. Some people suffer from chronic UTIs, and this will need the attention of your GP.
You might be suffering from an overactive bladder. This condition often triggers sudden and hard-to-control urges to urinate, which can mean rushing to the toilet up to ten times a day and even at night – called nocturia.
This is often a treatable condition through medications, lifestyle changes and pelvic floor exercises. Some people opt for botox injections that can relax the bladder muscles for up to six months.
Making more toilet trips could also be an early warning sign of diabetes. According to Healthline, your body could resort to urination to flush out excess glucose that your kidneys cannot handle.
If you think you may have diabetes, you will need to book an appointment with your GP and get this confirmed through blood tests. There is plenty of information about diabetes on the NHS website.
Bladder cancer is another serious condition that has frequent urination as an early symptom. Other signs include urinating urgently and noticing traces of blood in your urine as well as unexplained weight loss and back pain.
You should see your GP if you have any of these symptoms. But remember, they can all be caused by other medical conditions.
You could also just be drinking too much. This is often something you can fix itself simply by cutting back on your drinks.
It’s important to keep hydrated properly, otherwise dehydration could cause other medical problems. Most people should aim to drink 6 to 8 cups of water throughout the day (roughly two litres), but this can also come from other sources like lower-fat milk, sugar-free drinks, tea, and coffee.
Women may notice they’re using the toilet more if they are pregnant. This usually happens in the later stages of the process as the baby puts pressure on the mother’s bladder.
Also, certain medications you could be taking have a side effect of causing the body to produce more urine. If it was prescribed to you, then a GP should have explained this to you. If you feel the problem is fairly excessive, it is a good idea to get in touch and discuss it further.