Reasons for Frequent Urination in a Female

When you develop frequent urination, you may feel the need to urinate suddenly, or that you urinate more than usual. The cause of frequent urination in women may be weakened pelvic muscles, or an underlying medical condition such as a urinary tract infection. If you have the need to urinate more than eight times a day, you need to see a physician to rule out any possible health problem.

Pregnancy

• It is very common for women to have the need to urinate more frequently during pregnancy. According to the March of Dimes, the hormone that is produced by your body in the beginning of your pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin, can cause you to urinate more often. As your pregnancy progresses, the growth of your fetus can cause more pressure upon your bladder, creating the need to use the restroom more. Your kidneys also go into overdrive to rid your body of waste, which will increase the production of urine to be excreted from your body.

Weakened Muscles

• With women, it is common for our pelvic floor muscles, muscles of the bladder, and the urethra to become weakened over time. This is especially true for women who give birth multiple times. As your muscles become weakened, your bladder is unable to hold and control the release of urine as the bladder once did. The urge to urinate becomes stronger due to the lack of muscle control.

Urinary Tract Infection

• A urinary tract infection is an infection that afflicts your urinary system. The infection can eventually spread to your kidneys if the infection is left untreated. According to the Mayo Clinic, women are more likely to suffer from UTIs than men. Signs of a UTI can develop quickly, such as the urgent need to urinate, as well as the passing of frequent, yet scant amounts of urine. It is important to see a physician if you begin to experience a burning sensation when you urinate, have fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, or have blood in your urine.

Kidney Stones

• A kidney stone is created on the inside surface of your kidneys. It is composed of hard mineral deposits and acidic salts. Kidney stones can cause you to go to the bathroom often, and to feel pain while urinating. If you begin to have pain in your sides, your lower back or abdomen, pain in your groin, blood in your urine or cloudy urine, nausea and vomiting, fever and chills, or pain that comes and goes, seek medical attention.

Diabetes

• Diabetes is a medical condition that makes your body unable to process glucose, which is more commonly referred to as blood sugar. Too much glucose in your body can create a host of symptoms. Whether you suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you can suffer from bouts of frequent urination. A complication of diabetes can lead to kidney damage due to your kidneys constant filtering of waste from your system.

Incontinence

• Incontinence can often cause women to urinate more than they should. Two types in particular that women are more likely to suffer from are urge incontinence and overflow incontinence. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you suffer from urge incontinence, you may feel the need to use the restroom often, and even during the night. Urge incontinence can be caused by conditions such as UTIs, stroke, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. Overflow incontinence is when you constantly go to the restroom or even dribble urine.

Kidney Infection

• A kidney infection is a UTI that has migrated to your kidneys. Initial signs of a kidney infection include a persistent urge to go to the bathroom. If you begin to experience pain in your side or groin, have a fever and abdominal pain, burning while urinating, and pus or blood in your urine, seek immediate medical attention.