A Doctor Weighs in on How Often Should You Pee a Day

The average person pees six to eight times a day but anywhere from four to 10 times can be totally normal. How often you urinate is determined by many factors, including your age, the size of your bladder, the amount of fluid you're drinking, and how much alcohol and caffeine you consume. So if you're a coffee fiend, that could explain a lot about your toilet trips.

Signs of Urination Problems

Sudden urges to rush to the loo—even in the middle of the night—could be a sign that you have an overactive bladder (OBA)—also known as polyuria. Polyuria is common with 30% of men and 40% of women reporting it, according to the Urology Care Foundation.

In OBA, the muscles in the bladder wall are spasming (signaling the need to go) even when the volume of urine in the bladder is low. Treatment, in that case, is good ol' Kegel exercises, and peeing on a regular schedule may help.

Other symptoms, like burning, could point to an infection such as a bladder infection. Symptoms of a bladder infection include pain and burning during urination, an urge to pee frequently—even though your bladder is empty—pressure in your lower abdomen, and cloudy or bloody urine that smells bad to name a few. Treatment for bladder infections may include the use of antibiotics.

Bladder infections are often mistaken for other urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Discomfort that goes away after you urinate might indicate interstitial cystitis (a.k.a. painful bladder syndrome). The exact cause of this condition is unknown, and there isn't one remedy that works for everyone. Your doctor may recommend a variety of treatments—including pelvic-floor physical therapy—until you find an approach that works for you.

When To See a Doctor

If you notice you're going to pee more frequently than usual, get evaluated by your doctor. Also, contact your physician if you see blood in your urine. They can rule out possible sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and identify any bacteria or infections that you might need treatment for.