Emily Brown
Doctors and experts in urology have explained why you shouldn't make a habit of holding in your pee - no matter how much it might annoy the other people with you on your roadtrip.
It's not exactly comfortable to hold in your pee, yet all of us at one point or another have found ourselves avoiding the bathroom, telling ourselves we'll go after one more episode, when we get to our destination or when the cabin crew have passed through the aisle with the drinks trolley.
It's something we all do multiple times a day, but have you ever thought about what's going on to make it happen?
In an interview with CNN, Dr. Jason Kim, clinical associate professor of urology at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University on Long Island, New York, spoke about the process and why we shouldn't ignore our bodies' cues to go to the bathroom.
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He explained: "There’s a complex neurological system that controls urination. Your kidneys make urine, and then (it’s) funneled down two tubes called ureters to the bladder. I’d say normal bladder capacity is about 400 to 600 (cubic centimeters).”
When the bladder is about half full, nerve receptors tell our brains it's time to pee.
Though our brains have been told to pee, the brain responds by telling our bladder to hold it until a 'socially acceptable' time to urinate, Kim said.
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This isn't our brain's way of trying to make us look like some sort of godly specimen who never needs to pee; instead it stems from base instincts.
Dr. David Shusterman, board certified urologist at NY Urology in New York City, explained: “We were built this way because if we just peed as we were walking along, let’s say, the road, our predators would smell us.
"Urine has concentrated toxins in it, which is why your body is trying to get rid of it — and so what ends up happening is you want to hold the toxins in because they have a smell to them, and you want to be able to excrete the toxins in a time where you’re more protected.”
There's always going to be a situation where you can't run out to go to the bathroom, but making a habit of holding in pee can have impacts on your health.
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Increased UTI risk
One potential issue is the increased risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract, resulting in a urinary tract infection (UTI).
When we pee we get rid of invading bacteria, but Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist at Orlando Health, explained that holding your pee can 'create a breeding ground for bacteria'.
If left untreated, a UTI can lead to a kidney infection, which in turn could risk the development of a bloodstream infection or sepsis.
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Weakened bladder muscles
While holding your pee might seem like you're flexing your bladder muscles, doctors explained that it can actually strain and therefore weaken the muscles, making it harder to completely empty your bladder when you finally do pee.
“When that happens, you can enter a vicious cycle — more leftover urine means more risk for infections," Brahmbhatt said.
Missing signals
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If you make a habit of ignoring your body's signals, they can start to become less noticeable.
That doesn't mean you've conquered your body; it only increases the risks we've already touched on.
Kidney damage
In more extreme cases, holding pee can cause the urine to back up into the kidneys, causing infections or potential damage to the organs.
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It could also result in hydronephrosis, a condition in which the kidneys swell and stretch, as well as abdominal pain, cramping or bladder stones.
In order to avoid any of these potential risks, experts recommend following your body's cues to pee as quickly as possible, though they noted that the average healthy person can hold their pee for a few hours, a few times a week, typically without harm.
Brahmbhatt concluded: "It’s better to go when your body needs to than to hold it in. Carry some disinfecting wipes or a portable seat cover if it makes you more comfortable. Your bladder and future self will thank you!”