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What Is the Normal Bladder Capacity in a Woman?

Responsible for holding and voiding urine, the bladder is a muscular balloon-shaped organ positioned on the pelvic floor. The urine capacity of a woman's bladder can change with age and other factors.

  1. Function

    • The bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine. Urine comes into the bladder through two ureters that run from the kidney. Urine is then expelled to the exterior of the body through a tube called the urethra.

    Significance

    • Messages are sent to the brain when the bladder fills to capacity. These messages increase as the bladder continues to fill and until urine is voided. According to urogynecologist Christopher Maher, M.D., women pass urine at a rate of 30 to 50 ml per second.

    Capacity

    • Dr. Maher explains that the average woman's bladder can hold about 500 ml of fluid.

    Time Frame

    • A woman typically voids urine four to seven times daily. After the age of 60, women can expect an extra voiding per day for each decade. Also, it's normal for a woman to wake during the night at least once to urinate.

    Considerations

    • According to Seek Wellness, childbirth and menopause can have an impact on a woman's bladder and lead to urinary stress incontinence like diminishing the bladder's capacity.

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