Simple Home Remedies for Frequent Urination

Introduction: 

Do you have to answer the ‘nature’s call’ too often? Does your bladder always feel full, and peeing feels like a part-time job? Does peeing keep you busy during the day and wake you up at night? An urge to pee is normal, and it is something that all of us experience. But, if you are peeing more than you usually pee in a day, then it’s time to figure out why. In certain conditions like pregnancy, frequent peeing is normal. However, this symptom of frequent urination can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. The need to frequently urinate can be annoying, disturbing, and disruptive, but it is also manageable.1   

What Causes Frequent Urination? 

Frequent urination is a symptom that can occur due to various conditions. You might experience this due to various reasons based on your gender and age. It can occur at different points of your life due to different reasons.1 A few causes are as follows: 

home remedies for frequent urination
  • Diabetes: You might be experiencing frequent urination if you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is a common symptom of diabetes. Thus, frequent urination may be an indicator of diabetes.1 
  • Urinary tract and bladder conditions: The need to pee often can also be due to certain conditions that affect the urinary tract.1 Some of the conditions are: 
  • Urinary tract infection  
  • Overactive bladder syndrome 
  • Interstitial cystitis (frequent urge to urinate with a painful bladder)  
  • Bladder cancer (rare).1 
  • Pregnancy: During pregnancy, there is increased pressure on the bladder, with the baby taking up more space, therefore, causing the frequent urge to urinate.1 
  • Prostate problems: Pressure is exerted on the bladder with an increase in the size of the prostate. It leads to frequent urination.1 
  • Others: Some other causes for frequent urination include: 
  • Stroke 
  • Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) 
  • Pelvic tumour 
  • Use of medicines like diuretics which cause frequent urination 
  • Radiation therapy to the pelvic area 
  • Too much coffee or alcohol consumption 
  • Prolapse of organs in the pelvic region through vagina1 

Symptoms of Frequent Urination: 

Frequent urination is itself a symptom which can occur due to any of the above-stated causes. If you notice that you are urinating more than four to eight times a day, you might be having the issue of frequent urination. When you consult your physician, you may have to undergo an examination and tests such as urine test, ultrasound and/or cystoscopy to track down the cause of frequent urination.1   

Suggested Home Remedies for Frequent Urination: 

The urge to frequently pee can occur to any one of us regardless of our age and gender. However, it is much more common in elderly and middle-aged individuals, men with an enlarged prostate and pregnant women. Frequent urination can be managed over time by treating the underlying cause.1 You can use natural ingredients to overcome this symptom as well. A few home remedies using natural ingredients are as follows. 

1. Pomegranate Paste 

Pomegranate skin has the ability to destroy microorganisms (anti-microbial). It is especially effective against a bacteria called E.coli, which is mainly responsible for urinary tract infections (due to which frequent urination might occur).2 To use pomegranate as a remedy, you have to peel the fruit of pomegranate and save its skin. Then you have to grind the skin to form a paste. Add a few spoons of water to this paste and consume it on a daily basis to reap its benefits. 

2. Fenugreek Seeds 

In a study, it was found that fenugreek can be used to decrease blood sugar levels and improve the quality of life. This activity is due to the presence of specific bioactive compounds (alkaloids, steroids and trigonelline). It also acts as an antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress in the body, which is a cause of diabetes and frequent urination.3 You can make use of fenugreek seeds by simply consuming a little amount of them daily, either in the form of powder or by merely swallowing the seeds.  

3. Amla  

Amla is rich in vitamin C and is effective in controlling blood sugar and hence, frequent urination. It is especially beneficial for the urinary system as it promotes the elimination of urine but does not overly stimulate urine flow.4 You can use amla as a home remedy for frequent urination by simply preparing its juice. This juice of amla can be consumed either directly or by adding honey to enhance its taste. Drinking this juice on alternate days might be beneficial to control frequent urination. 

4. Tulsi 

Tulsi is effective against various bacteria, fungi and viruses. In Ayurveda, it is used to manage multiple infections, like urinary tract infections (a common cause of frequent urination).5 You can crush a few leaves of tulsi and eat them with a little bit of honey. You can also use tulsi leaves to make a decoction by boiling them in a little bit of water. Then, drink this decoction to gain the benefits of tulsi. 

5. Cumin 

Cumin is an aromatic plant. It is used for adding flavour to dishes and has medicinal value also. It has activity against various bacterial infections. One research found that the essential oil of cumin has activity against a bacteria that is popular for causing urinary tract infections. It also stated that cumin could be used alone or with other microbe destroying agents to manage bacterial infections.6 Thus, it might help in relieving frequent urination caused due to urinary tract infections. You can use cumin to remedy frequent urination by boiling it in water and drinking the water.   

6. Cranberry Juice 

It is hypothesised that cranberries can be effective in treating urinary tract infections. It may be due to its activity against the bacteria E.coli, known for its notorious nature of causing urinary tract infections. Cranberries might act against this bacteria by not allowing it to attach to the urinary tract walls.7 You can consume cranberry in the form of juice that is available commercially, or you can make a juice and drink it. To make the juice, soak the dried cranberry in water for some time, then blend it in a blender to make a juice. 

7. Horse Gram 

Horse gram has many traditional uses. It has been used for a long time in traditional folk medicine. It has various bioactive compounds, which it is found to help manage a variety of diseases, including urinary disorders. It is effective against E.coli, among many other bacteria.8 Therefore, it might help deal with frequent urination caused due to urinary tract infections. You can take a few spoons of horse gram, add it to a hot pan and roast it. This roasted horse gram can be eaten directly or made into a powder, mixed with water and consumed. Regular use might show you the beneficial effects.  

8. Kegel Exercises 

Kegel exercises help in strengthening the muscles of the pelvic region. They are also helpful in strengthening the urinary bladder.1 Therefore, they can be beneficial for frequent urination, which might occur due to weakened muscles of the urinary system. The following are the steps of the exercises: 

  • You can sit or lie down after emptying your bladder. 
  • First, you have to tighten your pelvic floor muscles and hold on for three to five seconds. 
  • Then count for three to five seconds and relax your muscles. 
  • You have to repeat this ten times, three times a day. i.e. in the morning, afternoon and night.9

When to Seek Medical Help? 

There is a wide range of reasons due to which frequent urination can occur. They range from casual to severe conditions. Therefore, if you notice a change in the frequency and pattern of urination, you should consult a doctor.1 However, if you notice the following symptoms along with frequent urination, please get in touch with your doctor immediately as it might be an indicator of a more serious problem: 

  • Vomiting 
  • Blood in urine 
  • Pain in the lower back region, towards the sides, over the kidneys 
  • Discharge from your vagina or penis 
  • Fever1  

Conclusion: 

Needing to pee so frequently can be an inconvenience to anyone. The occurrence of this symptom can be due to common causes or may be due to underlying medical conditions like diabetes. The treatment of the underlying cause might lead to a decrease in the frequency of urination over the course of the treatment. In addition, a few natural home remedies like amla, horse gram, Kegel exercises, etc., might help with your frequent urge to urinate. However, if you notice that you are peeing more than four to eight times a day, or if you observe symptoms like vomiting, fever, etc., it’s better to consult a doctor.  

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Urinating for how many times in a day is normal, after which it is a problem? 

Frequent urge to urinate can be normal. If you notice that your need to urinate in a day exceeds four to eight times, you might be having the symptom of frequent urination, which can occur due to a variety of causes. You should consult a doctor to find out the exact cause.1  

Can frequent urination be due to a stomach infection? 

No. There are no reports or evidence that state stomach infection is a cause of frequent urination. However, infection of the urinary tract might cause frequent urination.1  

Can amla juice help control frequent urination? 

Yes. Amla juice is a home remedy that may be used for frequent urination. It has beneficial action for the urinary system and is rich in vitamin C, and might help with frequent urination as well.4 

Is frequent urination caused due to liver disease? 

No. There is no scientific evidence stating that liver disease can cause frequent urination. 

Can Kegel exercises help with frequent urination? 

Yes. Kegel exercises help strengthen the urinary bladder and also the organs on the pelvic floor.1 Therefore, they might help control frequent urination. 

Is the urge to pee frequently normal during pregnancy? 

Yes, the urge to pee frequently is common during pregnancy as the growing baby puts pressure on the urinary bladder.1 

Can frequent urination mean that I have cancer? 

Though rare, there is a possibility that frequent urination might be caused due to bladder cancer.1 

References:  

1. Frequent Urination [Internet]. Cleaveland Clinic. [cited 2022 May 19]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15533-urination–frequent-urination  

2. Asgary S, Javanmard S, Zarfeshany A. Potent health effects of pomegranate. Adv Biomed Res [Internet]. 2014;3(1):100. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4007340/pdf/ABR-3-100.pdf  

3. Hassani SS, Arezodar FF, Esmaeili SS, Gholami-Fesharaki M. Effect of Fenugreek Use on Fasting Blood Glucose, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Blood Pressure and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials. Galen Med J [Internet]. 2019;8:e1432. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8344183/pdf/gmj-8-e1432.pdf 

4. Grover H, Deswal H, Singh Y, Bhardwaj A. Therapeutic effects of amla in medicine and dentistry: A review. J Oral Res Rev [Internet]. 2015;7(2):65. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287972436_Therapeutic_effects_of_amla_in_medicine_and_dentistry_A_review  

5. Cohen MM. Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons. J Ayurveda Integr Med [Internet]. 2014;5(4):251–9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296439/pdf/JAIM-5-251.pdf 

6. Derakhshan S, Sattari M, Bigdeli M. Effect of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) seed essential oil on biofilm formation and plasmid Integrity of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Pharmacogn Mag [Internet]. 2010;6(21):57–61. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2881652/pdf/PM-06-57.pdf 

7. Hisano M, Bruschini H, Nicodemo AC, Srougi M. Cranberries and lower urinary tract infection prevention. Clinics [Internet]. 2012;67(6):661–7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3370320/pdf/cln-67-06-661.pdf 

8. Prasad SK, Singh MK. Horse gram- an underutilised nutraceutical pulse crop: a review. J Food Sci Technol [Internet]. 2015;52(5):2489–99. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4397296/pdf/13197_2014_Article_1312.pdf 

9. Shah SM. Kegel exercises – self-care [Internet]. MedlinePlus. 2019 [cited 2022 May 20]. p. 1. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000141.htm 

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