Frequent urination means needing to pass urine more often than usual during the day; nocturia means waking two or more times at night to pass urine. Both are common, affect sleep and quality of life, and have several causes, most of them treatable.
Medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Samir Ahmed Al-Samarrai, consultant urologist. Last reviewed:
Common causes
- Benign prostate enlargement in men, sometimes with a weak stream and incomplete emptying.
- Overactive bladder: sudden urgency and sometimes leakage.
- Urinary tract infection, usually with burning.
- Poorly controlled diabetes, which increases urine volume.
- Drinking a lot of fluids, coffee or tea, especially in the evening.
- Some medicines, such as diuretics.
- Bladder stones, pregnancy and sleep apnoea.
How the cause is found
- A bladder diary for two or three days.
- Urine test and blood sugar test.
- Ultrasound of the bladder to measure urine left after voiding, and of the prostate in men.
- PSA test and urine flow measurement in men where appropriate.
Treatment
Treatment usually starts with simple changes, such as spacing fluids, cutting evening caffeine and bladder training, followed by medicines suited to the cause, such as prostate or overactive-bladder medicines. Some men with an enlarged prostate need a procedure. The four-part review on benign prostatic enlargement by Prof. Al-Samarrai also covers nocturia.
When to call an ambulance
Call 998 or go to the nearest emergency department if: you cannot pass urine at all and have pain and swelling in the lower abdomen, or frequency comes with extreme thirst, dizziness or confusion.
Related topics
Frequently asked questions
How often is it normal to pass urine?
Most adults usually pass urine 4 to 8 times during the day and at most once at night, depending on fluid intake and age.
Is waking at night to pass urine a sign of a prostate problem?
It can be in men from middle age, but there are other causes such as evening fluids, diabetes, some medicines or sleep disorders, so it needs assessment.
What is a bladder diary?
A chart where you record for two or three days the times you pass urine, the amounts and what you drink. It helps the doctor find the cause of frequency.
Book an examination to find the cause
Prof. Al-Samarrai and Dr. Amer Mousa find the cause of urinary symptoms with the right examination and tests at Prof. Al-Samarrai Medical Center in Dubai Healthcare City.
This information is for health education and does not replace a medical examination. See our medical content policy.