Peeing Just In Case: Why Shouldn't It Become A Habit?

Humans are designed to discharge fluids from our bodies from time to time once they have fulfilled their function inside.

Aware of this, when we know that we will spend some time without access to a toilet or a place similar to it, we take precautions. For example, we urinate just in case before leaving home, before going to the cinema, before entering a meeting, etc.

It is definitely an effective and healthy precautionary measure, especially if we consider the consequences of not doing it regularly. In fact, it is something that parents usually apply with small children to avoid accidents in the street; when it does not work, perhaps exposing them to the sound of a water jet can stimulate them.

However, this does not mean that we should make it a habit; doing so could be counterproductive and we explain why.

The human urinary bladder can store a lot of fluid.

Although it may not seem like it, the human urinary bladder can store a lot of fluid without collapsing.

For example, those with a normal bladder can store between 400 and 600 ml. Based on this, in theory, it would take about two hours for the water you drink to reach the bladder.

Therefore, if a person drinks 600 ml of water, he or she would probably not have to go to the bathroom for a couple of hours. However, there are exceptions, which leads many to urinate just in case to avoid the discomfort of holding the urge.

In general, doing so too often can change the bladder's working dynamics to the point of even affecting quality of life.

Some may find themselves immersed in a vicious circle in which it would not be possible to leave with the certainty that the organ will hold even if it has not reached its limit.

The functioning of the urinary bladder

For a better understanding, let's go into what happens when we discharge urine.

The bladder muscle must contract while those around the urethra and pelvic floor must relax. In this way, the fluid can flow without straining. This is what happens when it is really time to urinate.

When we don't feel like it, but still go to the bathroom, we break this dynamic.

The bladder spasms and contracts more aggressively to get the fluid out, even if it is not enough to discharge it. In effect, we do this, but the muscles in the area do not work normally in that area.

While it is useful on certain occasions, if done frequently, this habit of urinating just in case will accustom the bladder to holding back small amounts of urine. As a result, the person will begin to feel the urge to go to the bathroom more frequently.

Just in case urinating is acceptable in case of overactive and irritable bladder.

We are back to where we started. While we've already outlined reasons why getting into the habit of peeing on demand is not a good idea, there is also the flip side of the coin: some people cannot control bladder emptying under the dynamics described above.

In fact, about 30 percent of adults and a large number of children do not have a normal bladder.

Instead, they have an overactive or irritable bladder, which can make their need to go to the bathroom more frequent than others.

Urinating just in case becomes a critical habit for them because, if they wait too long, they may experience involuntary leakage.

How to stop urinating early?

In these cases, it is best to seek support from professionals, such as a specialized physiotherapist or an incontinence doctor.

It may be necessary to retrain the bladders and even take medication to control them. However, those who do not suffer from these conditions can definitely do without.

The good news is that most with a normal bladder can deprogram this habit in their body.

To do this, the first step is to begin to differentiate the small urges from the actual need to urinate. When it comes to the latter, try to resist it and see what happens. In this way, you can gradually return to normal.

And while it is really helpful to leave the house knowing that your child has discharged their bladder, the current recommendation is to let them go according to their needs.

This should not only apply to outings with parents, but also in schools, where they are still urged to go to the bathroom during recess.