When you have to pee and hold it what happens?

When you have to pee and hold it, several physiological responses occur in your body:

1. Increased Bladder Pressure: As urine accumulates in the bladder, the pressure inside the bladder increases. This pressure sensation is what signals the need to urinate.

2. Detrusor Muscle Contractions: The detrusor muscle, which forms the wall of the bladder, undergoes involuntary contractions when it's full. These contractions help expel urine during urination. When you try to hold your pee, you are consciously suppressing these contractions and preventing the bladder from emptying.

3. Activation of the Pudendal Nerve: The pudendal nerve is responsible for controlling the muscles involved in urination. When you hold your pee, the pudendal nerve sends signals to the brain indicating the need to urinate.

4. Brain Signals: The brain processes the signals from the bladder and the pudendal nerve. It tries to balance the urge to urinate with social and behavioral factors, allowing you to control the timing of urination to some extent.

5. Overdistention of the Bladder: If you continue to hold your pee for an extended period, the bladder becomes overdistended. This can impair the function of the detrusor muscle and weaken the bladder's ability to contract effectively.

6. Risk of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Holding urine for too long can increase the risk of developing urinary tract infections, as stagnant urine provides a favorable environment for bacterial growth.

7. Stress Incontinence: Chronic holding of urine can contribute to stress incontinence, which is the involuntary leakage of urine due to increased pressure on the bladder when coughing, sneezing, or performing certain physical activities.

Overall, while you can consciously hold your pee in the short term, it's important to avoid doing so for extended periods as it can have negative effects on your urinary system and overall health.