Simple Home Remedies for Frequent Urination

Introduction

Do you find yourself running to the bathroom more often than usual? Do you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night just to pee, or having to take multiple bathroom breaks throughout the day?

While the urge to urinate is completely natural and something we all experience, if you notice that you’re going more frequently than normal, it might be worth looking into the cause. In certain situations, like pregnancy, frequent urination can be perfectly normal. However, if this becomes a persistent issue, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires attention.

The need to urinate frequently can be annoying, but it is also manageable. So let’s explore the simple home remedies to stop frequent urination.   

Friendly Reminder: The information shared here is for educational purposes only and the reader should consult a registered medical practitioner before implementing any changes to their health routine.

What Causes Frequent Urination?

Frequent urination is a common symptom linked to various conditions. Its causes can vary depending on factors like gender, age, and life stage. Here are a few possible reasons:

Urinary Tract and Bladder Conditions

The need to pee often can also be due to certain conditions that affect the urinary tract. Some of the conditions are: 

• Urinary Tract Infection  
• Overactive Bladder Syndrome 
• Interstitial Cystitis (frequent urge to urinate with a painful bladder)  
• Bladder Cancer (rare).
• Incontinence due to neurological problems

Diabetes

You might be experiencing frequent urination if you have high blood sugar levels. This is common in people with uncontrolled diabetes. Thus, frequent urination may be an indicator for you to check your blood sugar levels.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, there is increased pressure on the bladder, with the baby taking up more space, therefore, causing the frequent urge to urinate.

Prostate Problems

Pressure is exerted on the bladder with an increase in the size of the prostate. It leads to frequent urination.

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 
• Neurogenic bladder
• Prolapse of organs in the pelvic region through the vagina

If you suffer from frequent urination with associated symptoms like pain while urinating, blood in urine, red or dark urine, or fever, it is crucial to get yourself examined by a physician to establish a diagnosis.

Dr Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

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.

Frequent urination, especially in elderly males, can be due to benign hyperplasia of the prostate, due to which there is an obstruction in urine flow and frequent urge to void the bladder. An elderly male having such symptoms should visit his physician and get himself investigated and treated accordingly.

Dr. Nikhil Yadav, MBBS MD,CCEBDM

Suggested Home Remedies for Frequent Urination

The urge to frequently pee can occur to anyone regardless of 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. In addition to the prescribed treatment, you may discuss with your doctor the benefits of popular home remedies for frequent urination. Here are some remedies that may help:

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). Oral consumption of pomegranate skin extracts can support the treatment of UTI and help manage frequent urination.

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. You can make use of fenugreek seeds by simply consuming a small 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 beneficial for managing blood sugar and hence, frequent urination that results due to uncontrolled blood sugars. It is especially helpful for the urinary system as it promotes the elimination of urine but does not overly stimulate urine flow. You can use amla as a home remedy for frequent urination by simply preparing its juice. It can be consumed either directly or by adding water to it. 

Addressing frequent urination is crucial, and seeking medical advice is essential. Pelvic floor exercises offer significant relief in many cases of incontinence and are beneficial for all unless instructed otherwise by a healthcare professional.

Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

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). 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 also has medicinal value. It has activity against various bacterial infections. According to research, 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. 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. This can be used as one of the natural remedies for frequent urination due to UTI in females as well. You can consume cranberry in the form of juice that is available commercially, or you can make a juice and drink it. Soak the dried cranberries in water for some time, then blend them in a blender to make the juice at home. 

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. 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. Therefore, they can be helpful for frequent urination, which might occur due to weakened muscles of the pelvic region. 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.

Frequent urination during cold weather is quite common; however, when they have frequent urination or a burning sensation during urination, it can be a sign of a Urinary Tract Infection. Consulting a doctor is a must.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

When to Seek Medical Help?

There are a wide range of reasons why frequent urination can occur. They range from casual to severe conditions. Therefore, if you notice a change in the frequency and pattern of urination or are confused about how to control frequent urination, you should consult a doctor. 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 
• Fever

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 often helps reduce the frequency of urination over time. Additionally, natural remedies such as amla, horse gram, and Kegel exercises might provide relief. However, if you find yourself urinating more than four to eight times a day or experiencing symptoms like vomiting or fever, it’s advisable to consult a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. 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  
2. 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 
3. 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  
4. 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 
5. 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 
6. 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 
7. 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 
8. Shah SM. Kegel exercises – self-care [Internet]. MedlinePlus. 2019 [cited 2022 May 20]. p. 1. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000141.htm 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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