Perhaps you’ve noticed that as you age, you tend to need to pee more often. There are several explanations for this phenomenon. We will explain everything to you.
As we age, it’s quite common to need to pee more often than before. And this can be explained by several reasons. Indeed, with age, the body undergoes many changes including bladder problems. To see it more clearly, the HuffPost asked the question directly to gynecologists, urologists and pelvic floor therapists. They put forward several reasons for the more frequent urge to urinate. For women, this may be related to a drop in estrogen.
When menopause arrives, estrogen levels tend to decrease. Gold, “Estrogen is an essential hormone maintaining the strength of the bladder wall”, explains Dr. Monica Grover, obstetrician-gynecologist. “When it decreases, the tissues that support the bladder wall begin to weaken and stiffen, causing increases the frequency of urination. Thank you menopause! But the frequent urge to pee can also be explained by a genital prolapse, also called organ descent.
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Here are the reasons why you have to pee more often
Genital prolapse occurs when one or more pelvic organs (bladder, intestines, uterus) are not optimally supported by the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor. “If your bladder is prolapsed, it can sag into the anterior vaginal wall, where residual urine may remain after peeing”, explains Sara Reardon, pelvic physiotherapist. “That’s why you feel not to empty yourself completely and, shortly after peeing, you may want to do it again.”
Another reason: your bladder is smaller. Indeed, “the amount of urine needed for a person to feel the urge to urinate decreases with age and the amount of urine the bladder can hold is smaller,” explains Sara Reardon. Furthermore, the elastic fabric becomes more rigid and the bladder becomes less expandable. A excessive coffee consumption can also lead to more frequent urination. “Caffeine and alcohol are both bladder irritants and diuretics, which increase your body’s tendency to excrete water through urine. recalls urologist Andrew Y. Sun.
The constipation may also play a role in the phenomenon. In fact, with age, you can suffer from constipation. “If the colon and rectum are full, this can exercise pressure on the bladder and give the impression that you have to pee more”, explains Doctor Reardon. Other more medical reasons may have an impact such as taking certain medications against diabetes or heart disease. Type 2 diabetes And urinary infections are pathologies presenting this symptom of frequent urination. And for men, the reason is often prostate whose volume increases with age.
Passionate about women’s news, Agathe has been deciphering the latest trends for aufeminin since 2022. Her favorite areas? Psychology, nutrition and well-being advice, without forgetting the tips…