What Are the Causes of Urinary Frequency?

The sudden urge to urinate normally occurs from irritation to the bladder. This irritation comes from different sources such as medical conditions or medications being taken. When the bladder feels pressure or irritation, spasms develop, increasing the need and frequency of urination. Narrowing down the reasons for frequent urination will help pinpoint your cause and enables you to work toward a solution.

Medical Conditions

• An enlarged prostate -- or an infection within the prostate -- may cause urinary frequency in men. As the prostate enlarges, it pushes against the bladder, resulting in a need to urinate. Bladder infections in men and women result in painful urges to urinate, sometimes with only drops of urine emerging from the bladder. Overactive bladders cause spasms in which the sufferer feels the need to urinate often. Check with your doctor if urinary frequency disrupts your daily life.

Stress

• Mental health conditions such as stress and anxiety may trigger the need to urinate frequently. The body reacts to stress by tightening muscles in the neck, shoulders and even the bladder. When the bladder feels these stresses, the need to urinate becomes demanding and unrelenting.

Caffiene

• Caffeine is a natural diuretic that removes water from the body. Drinking excessive amounts of coffee and tea containing caffeine may contribute to the frequency of urinating.

Medications

• Certain medications may contribute to urgent urination. Check the container or literature accompanying the medicine to determine whether frequent urination is a side effect. Diuretics cause urgent urination in people as the medicine sheds unnecessary water from the body. Ask your physician if you believe certain medications are causing urinary frequency. Your physician may change or alter the dosage of the medication.