If you find yourself going to the bathroom more often than usual, you’re not alone. Many men experience frequent urination, and there are a number of potential causes. In this blog post, we’ll explore what an overactive bladder is, its symptoms, and five of the most common reasons for frequent urination in men.

What is an overactive bladder?

An overactive bladder (OAB) is the name given to a group of urinary symptoms, according to the Urology Care Foundation. OAB is the result of muscles in the bladder contracting involuntarily, or even in response to things like fullness or certain activities. Normally, men urinate about 6-8 times a day and maybe once at night. While this amount can increase slightly when you drink more than usual, anything over ten times a day or more than once at night can indicate a problem.

There are some symptoms that can indicate an overactive bladder and should not be ignored. These include:

• a strong urge to urinate frequently, even if you just went to the bathroom
• a need to visit the restroom many times throughout the day (over 8-10 times)
• leaking small amounts of urine before you can get to the restroom
• awakening multiple times during the night for trips to the toilet
• difficulty stopping urine flow once it’s started.

While addressing any of these issues may feel embarrassing or inconvenient, it’s always better to know the cause and find suitable treatments. After all, living with frequent urination issues is no way to live. Luckily, this blog will help identify if your bladder is overactive and five of the most common causes that could be behind it.

Enlarged Prostate

An enlarged prostate, also known as Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is another common condition that can cause frequent urination in men, particularly those over the age of 50. In fact, as many as 50% of men in their 60s and 90% of men over 70 years have enlarged prostates. This makes BPH one of the most common causes of frequent urination in men. Frequent urination due to an enlarged prostate occurs because the increased size of the prostate gland around the urethra causes blockage. This irritates the bladder, which causes it to contract with small amounts of urine, ultimately leading to urinary urgency. There are several treatments available for BPH including: medication, prostatic artery embolization (PAE), TUMT, Urolift, Rezum, and TURP.

Urinary Tract Infection

Despite the fact that urinary tract infections tend to affect women at a higher rate, urinary tract infections, or UTIs, can also be a common cause of frequent urination in men. UTIs occur when bacteria enter and cause an infection in any part of the urinary tract, from the urethra to the kidneys. This can happen from holding urine in too long, constipation, recent urinary surgery, or unprotected anal sex. Symptoms of a UTI include experiencing a burning sensation when urinating, increased frequency of urination, cloudy urine, and foul-smelling urine. Men who experience these symptoms need to seek medical attention immediately as UTIs can cause more significant health issues if left untreated. Thankfully, most UTIs can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

Neurological conditions

Neurological conditions can also be a cause of frequent urination in men. Disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetic neuropathy, and stroke can all trigger bladder dysfunction and result in increased trips to the bathroom. Many neurological conditions also incur other symptoms such as muscle pains and loss of feeling, so if you experience these sensations alongside your urinary frequency it could be a sign of an underlying disorder. If you suffer from any of the previously listed conditions or any other neurological condition, it is important that you consult a qualified medical professional for further investigation.

Diabetes

Diabetes is another common culprit behind frequent urination in men. When your body can’t produce enough insulin, or use it properly, the sugar in your blood increases leading to high levels of glucose which your kidneys have to remove. As a result, you urinate more than normal. This causes your body to become dehydrated, which then causes you to drink more, which causes frequent urination. Although diabetes isn’t the only cause behind frequent urination, if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as extreme fatigue, blurred vision, unusual weight loss or hunger – diabetes could be the underlying issue that needs to be addressed. If you experience any of these signs, it’s important to seek advice from a doctor as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial Cystitis, commonly known as IC or painful bladder syndrome, is a bladder disorder often causing chronic pain and pressure in the bladder that lasts longer than 6 weeks without any infection or other clear cause. People suffering from Interstitial Cystitis can experience a range of symptoms that can vary in severity. Frequent urination is one common symptom of this condition, as is pain or pressure in the bladder and urinary urgency. It’s important for patients to seek medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional if they are experiencing any unusual symptoms related to this condition such as frequent urination or sensitivity in the pelvic area. By receiving proper diagnosis and treatment, patients may be able find relief from unfavorable symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis.

In Conclusion

Frequent urination can have an unfortunate impact on your everyday life. While temporary frequent urination may simply be the result of drinking more, longer instances of frequent urination can be an indication of an underlying health issue. It’s important to pay attention to your body and any changes it may be going through. If you have any of the symptoms associated with an overactive bladder, it is important to consult a urinary specialist. At 1Prostate Center in New York, our board-certified urologists and interventional radiologists will provide you with the highest quality of care. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and treatment options for all types of prostate conditions. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, so you can get back to living life normally.