Overview
A strong relationship between anxiety and bladder function has been established, although the exact link is still unclear. The most plausible explanation is the activation of the flight-or-fight response that triggers different organs in the body, such as your heart, muscles, and lungs. As the body switches to survival mode, other functions, such as bladder control, may be affected, leading to feeling the urge to urinate or even having difficulty urinating.
What are the causes of anxiety urination?
Anxiety and frequent urination go hand in hand. In fact, several studies have concluded that stress, anxiety, and depression all can lead to overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.
Although researchers and medical professionals are still unclear about the phenomenon behind the correlation between anxiety and peeing, there are several theories to explain it.
Following are some theories on anxiety-related frequent urination:
- Muscle Tension: Whenever you are anxious or have a panic attack, your muscles tend to get very tense, which puts pressure on your bladder. Hence, you feel the urge to urinate. This is one of the most likely causes of frequent urination.
- Evolutionary Adaptation: Anxiety, in other words, is the misfiring of your fight/flight system. Hence, if there is an imminent threat or fear, urination may keep the body lighter by losing the extra weight and aid in fleeing. This evolutionary reason supports the idea that frequent urination would be advantageous in this scenario.
- Light Overload: Since anxiety triggers a fight/flight response, your body may be lightly overloaded. In this case, the fear is not intense enough to cause immediate urination, but it makes you feel like you can hold it back. Moreover, anxiety may alter body chemistry, affecting your digestion and absorption of nutrients. This causes more water to be eliminated from the body.
In the case of anxiety, individuals tend to focus on different sensations unintentionally. Typically, you are able to hold urine and ignore the sensation, but with anxiety, your brain may be focused on the sensation, causing you to feel the urge to urinate even though you don’t have to. This response can then lead to overactive bladder symptoms, creating a cycle of urinating every time you feel more anxious. In simpler words, thinking about peeing makes you pee.
It is vital that you seek medical advice on how to stop anxiety urination; you can connect with an online doctor who can diagnose and offer treatment for anxiety.
How can I treat anxiety urination?
There is no straightforward answer to how to stop frequent urination from anxiety. Although, there is no need to be embarrassed about your symptoms. Various treatment options, such as dietary changes, bladder training, and pelvic exercises, are available to help you regain control. In other cases, medications may also play an essential role by blocking certain nerve impulses and, in turn, helping to relax the bladder muscle, making it easier to resist urges.
It is essential to speak with a doctor to manage stress and anxiety. The following can help in dealing with frequent urination caused by anxiety:
- Try pelvic floor exercises
The pelvic floor muscles support the pelvis, bladder, and urethra. Due to surgery, pregnancy, or childbirth, these muscles may become stretched or weakened, affecting their ability to control the pelvic organs. Pelvic floor exercises help counteract this effect, restrengthen these muscles, and tackle the symptoms of urinary incontinence. A physical therapist can help create a customized plan for dealing with such issues.
2. Practice yoga
Yoga promotes mindfulness and relaxation, and hence, it is no surprise that it has a significant positive impact on alleviating anxiety and stress and helping improve sleep. Therefore, the overall quality of life is improved.
3. Treatment for frequent urination or overactive bladder symptoms
A combination of treatment options such as lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, dietary changes, medications, and surgery can markedly improve overactive bladder or frequent urination symptoms. Ultimately, that helps bring down anxiety and depression levels as well.
4. Exploring alternative treatment options
Alternative treatments may help reduce anxiety and stress. Studies have indicated that laser acupuncture is one such measure that has significantly improved urine incontinence and quality of life.
Moreover, electrical stimulation can be given a try in the case of an overactive bladder. This treatment sends targeted electrical pulses to the muscles that control and support the bladder. In combination with bladder training, it may help reduce anxiety urination as well.
5. Exploring CBT
Behavioral therapy improves bladder control by equipping a person with strategies to help manage their anxiety urination. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) mainly focuses on the psychological aspects of an overactive bladder or frequent urination. CBT helps to calm the mind and body by providing strategies that help to reshape your thinking about the condition.
6. Join support groups
Dealing with anxiety peeing or an overactive bladder can lead to a feeling of isolation. Although you may feel embarrassed, the best way to overcome that feeling is to reach out to people who are facing the same issues. The plus point is that these individuals may also be able to provide the best advice for managing the symptoms.
What are the other possible causes?
Other health conditions may lead to frequent or urgent urination. Some conditions that can give rise to urinary incontinence, besides anxiety-related frequent urination, include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Diabetes
- Interstitial cystitis
- Bladder stones
- Vaginitis
Consult a doctor
Get connected with an online doctor and let the doctors guide you and help you deal with your symptoms without leaving the comfort of your house for treatment. If you have any questions or require advice on how to stop anxiety urination, chat with a virtual doctor right away.
FAQs about anxiety urination
A combination of mindfulness meditation, exercises, and CBT can help you manage anxiety and help you learn how to calm your body and the mind.
Frequent urination is usually stress-induced when you feel the need to pee despite not drinking enough water. Whenever you are in a stressful situation, your body tenses up, and you feel the urge to urinate and require another bathroom trip.
B complex Vitamins, Vitamin D3, Magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, chamomile, Valerian root, and Ashwagandha may help promote feelings of relaxation and, in turn, alleviate stress and anxiety. You must contact your healthcare provider to determine the best supplements for your individual needs.
Various treatment options, such as dietary changes, pelvic exercises, CBT, yoga, and even medications, can help you deal with urination induced by anxiety. In order to determine the best combination for you, it is essential to talk to a physician.
