Urinary frequency--urgency

• excessive fluid intake
• urinary tract infection
• prostatitis (infected or inflamed prostate gland)
• pregnancy
• radiation therapy
• diabetes

Note: There may be other causes of urinary frequency/urgency. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for urinary frequency/urgency, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
Follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause. For a time, measures may need to be taken to protect the clothing and bedding.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

• increased urinary frequency is NOT caused by excessive fluid intake or increased pressure on the bladder from pregnancy.

What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting the increased urinary frequency in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • When did the increased urinary frequency start?
  • How many times each day are you urinating?
  • Is there more frequent urination during the day?
  • Is there more frequent urination at night?

• quality
  • Is there an increased amount of urine?
  • Is there a change in the color of urine?
  • Is there pain when urinating , or a burning sensation?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
    • Increased thirst ?
    • Pain in the abdomen ?
    • Pain in the back ?
    • Fever ?
    • Difficulty starting flow of urine?

  • Are you drinking more fluids?
  • Have you had a recent bladder infection ?
  • Are you pregnant ?
  • What medications are being taken?
  • Have you had any previous urinary problems?
  • Have there been changes in the diet?
  • Do you drink beverages containing alcohol or caffeine ?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• urinalysis
• urine culture and sensitivity tests
• cystometry (a measurement of the pressure within the bladder)
• cystoscopy
• neurological tests (for some urgency problems)
• ultrasonography (such as an abdominal ultrasound or a pelvic ultrasound )

Intervention:
For urinary urgency problems, the patient's fluid intake may be increased to dilute the urine and diminish the feeling of urgency. Antibiotics may be prescribed and urinary anesthetics administered if needed.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to increased urinary frequency/urgency to your personal medical record.


This is an illustration of the female urinary tract. The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning in the body and relative size of the organs are also demonstrated.