Just as there are many reasons which cause you to urinate frequently, there are many ways to treat the problem. Talk to your doctor if frequent urination is affecting your sleep, work or general quality of life. Your doctor can diagnose underlying issues and help alleviate your symptoms.

Diagnosing the Cause of Frequent Urination

There are many causes of frequent urination. Reasons can be as simple as the food and beverages you consume, or a urinary tract infection. It can also be a first indication that you have diabetes, or an enlarged prostate or a prostate infection if you are a man, or vaginitis (vaginal infection) or even of pregnancy if you are a woman.

One of the most common complaints of a urological conditions such as overactive bladder syndrome and interstitial cystitis (inflammation of the bladder wall) is frequent urination. Less commonly, frequent urination may indicate a more serious issue such as stroke, brain or nervous system dysfunction, tumor growth in the pelvis, or even bladder cancer.
Your doctor can help diagnose underlying issues beginning with an office visit.

Medical History and Physical Exam: Your doctor will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam. Urine samples may be collected to perform a urinalysis (a complete analysis of your urine) or a urine culture (to see if there are any unusual microbes present in your urine).

Voiding Diary: Keeping a diary of the times and amount you urinate per day can be helpful information to bring to your doctor when you visit.

Cystoscopy: Your doctor may order a cystoscopy which uses a cystoscope (a thin, lighted instrument with a camera) to get a better view of your urinary tract. The cystoscope is threaded through the urethra and into the bladder to give your doctor a clear view of your urethra and bladder.

Cystomery: This test uses catheters to gauge abdominal pressure in the abdomen during urination. This test helps your doctor determine if you are having problems with urgency, bladder capacity, and with bladder pressure during filling and emptying of your bladder.

Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound: Ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure which uses sound waves to give your doctor a picture of your internal organs. Your skin will be lubricated with a clear conducting gel, and a transducer (a tool which emits sound waves) will be placed on your skin. An abdominal or pelvic ultrasound will give your doctor information which can be used to diagnose frequent urination.

Neurological tests: Sometimes frequent urination can be caused by conditions which effect the nerves or can identify neurological problems, especially in cases where urinary urgency is displayed. Your doctor will do some tests to see if you are having sensory issues or displaying delays in your reflexes.

Contact your doctor immediately if your frequent urination is accompanied by fever, chills, vomiting, or back or side pain. Blood in your urine, sudden weight loss, or a dramatic increase in thirst or appetite are also issues you should bring to your doctor’s immediate attention.

Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing urinary frequency to determine the underlying cause and to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms.