Why Do I Feel Like Peeing After I’ve Already Peed?

Written by Christina Palmer, MD | Reviewed by Sophie Vergnaud, MDPublished on April 22, 2022

Key takeaways:

• Needing to urinate frequently is not only frustrating, but it can be a sign of an underlying problem. 
• Drinking a lot of water can cause frequent urination, but so can urinary tract infections and other health conditions like diabetes. 
• Sometimes, you can improve urinary frequency by minimizing your water intake, scheduling your bathroom breaks, or strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. 

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Urinating frequently can be distracting and seriously interfere with your everyday life. It can also sometimes be a sign of a bigger problem. Frequent urination can happen for many reasons, including an infection and more serious underlying health issues. Read on to learn about the potential causes and what you can do about it.

What is a normal amount to need to pee?

A healthy amount of urination is considered to be about eight times per day and once overnight. Some people may pee slightly more or slightly less than that. Most people know what is normal for them.  

What causes urinary frequency to happen?

The urge to urinate is triggered by nerves stretching in the bladder when the bladder fills. The muscles in the pelvic floor relax, and the bladder muscles contract. A healthy flow of urine is continuous, strong, and painless. 

Sometimes, urination can happen too frequently. There are many different causes for frequent urination. Some are normal variations of a functioning body, like after drinking a lot of water.

But health changes can also cause urinary frequency, and causes can be wide ranging, including:

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Diuretic use
• Enlarged prostate
• Pregnancy
• Overactive bladder
• Bladder irritation
• Pelvic floor problems
• Diabetes
• Anxiety

It’s a good idea to keep track of your urinary patterns and any other symptoms, including how often you go and in what situations. You and your healthcare provider can then figure out the cause and best treatment.

Do you have a urinary tract infection?

UTIs can commonly cause urinary frequency. You may urinate small amounts and then feel like you have to urinate right after you’ve gone. These can also cause pain with urination, and your urine may have a different odor and color. 

UTIs can be treated with antibiotics. So, if you think you might have a UTI, it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider to be evaluated and treated. If untreated, these can lead to more serious kidney infections.

Is it related to medications?

Sometimes, medications can cause frequent urination. A common culprit is diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide or spironolactone. These are often used to treat high blood pressure. But other medications can have this effect too, including some birth control pills (such as Yaz).

Some medications for diabetes, SGLT2 inhibitors, can also increase urination. These increase the amount of sugar in your urine and can also increase your risk of UTIs. 

If you recently started a new medication and have noted new urinary symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.

Is something pushing on your bladder? 

Urinary frequency can also be related to anything putting pressure on the bladder. This could be an enlarged prostate, uterine fibroids, or pregnancy. Pregnancy can increase urinary frequency due to the pressure on the bladder. But it can also be due to hormone changes, including increased progesterone. 

Your healthcare provider can evaluate whether there is increased pressure in your pelvic area and may do additional testing and imaging.

Does it mean you have diabetes?

Diabetes can cause increased urinary frequency. Generally, there will be other symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, fatigue, headaches, or blurred vision. If you have any of these symptoms or other concerns about diabetes, it’s important to see your healthcare provider for additional testing.

Do you have an overactive bladder or a pelvic floor problem?

The pelvic floor is a complex group of muscles. They can be damaged or weakened, commonly due to pregnancy or aging. Weakening of these muscles can lead to urinary frequency or urinary incontinence. Treatment for pelvic floor disorders often includes physical therapy or surgical interventions. 

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common cause of urinary frequency. Having a pelvic floor problem can be a risk factor for OAB. OAB leads to bladder spasms, meaning the bladder contracts when it shouldn’t. This causes increased urination and, sometimes, urinary incontinence. Treatment for OAB often includes lifestyle changes, medication, or surgical intervention.

Should you be concerned about peeing too much?

Frequent urination may not cause problems on its own, but it can reduce your quality of life. It may impact what you do on a day-to-day basis. It can be uncomfortable. It can lead to worry or anxiety. 

If frequent urination is normal for you and the way you’ve always been, you may not have reason to be concerned. However, if the frequent urge to urinate is new or comes along with other symptoms, it could be a sign of something else going on that should be checked out.

When should you go see a doctor?

Any new symptom or change in your body should be evaluated. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have new urinary frequency that persists or if you have any of the following:

• Fevers or chills
• Pain with urination
• Urine color changes
• Abdominal or back pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Inability to pass urine
• Urinary frequency that interferes with your quality of life

Can you treat it on your own?

The treatment will depend on the cause, so the first step is to identify the cause of your symptoms. If you have a UTI, it can be treated, and symptoms should resolve.

If your urinary frequency is related to a pelvic floor disorder or overactive bladder, there may be some behavioral or lifestyle changes you can make to help, including:

• Reducing drinks that may irritate the bladder, like coffee, tea, or alcohol
• Following a schedule to urinate regularly
• Doing bladder training to help train your bladder to hold urine for longer
• Doing pelvic floor exercises (kegel exercises)

The bottom line

Needing to urinate right after you’ve just gone is not only annoying but can be a sign of an underlying health problem. While this is commonly related to drinking a lot of water or taking medication, sometimes, it could mean something more serious like an infection or diabetes. It can also be related to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles around the bladder. It’s always a good idea to discuss urinary frequency with your healthcare provider to make sure you’re getting the treatment you need.