How Often Should You Pee? Here’s What Doctors Say Is Normal

When you come to PureWow, you never know what you’re going to get. One day you might read an illuminating account of why the latest TikTok trend is actually problematic, while the next you’re feasting your eyes on a delectable roundup of fresh peach recipes to try.

We cover a wide range of topics, which is why, sometimes, you’ll come across a story about something you might not have had at the front of your mind but can learn from, nonetheless. The question we’re looking into today? How often should you pee?

Drumroll, please…The short answer is, it depends. When it comes to peeing, there isn’t really a “normal.” In general, though, peeing anywhere between four and ten times a day is considered healthy (though most people go between six and seven times). 

• How much you drink. This one’s pretty obvious, but you likely notice that if you drink more, you pee more (and vice versa).
• What you drink. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks can have a diuretic effect, meaning they make you pee more than other drinks like water or juice would.
• Your age. It’s not just youth that’s wasted on the young; it’s also not having to pee more than ever—often in the middle of the night. Per WebMD, as you age, your body produces less of a hormone that helps concentrate urine so that you can hold it until the morning, resulting in more bathroom breaks throughout the night.
• What medications you’re on. Some medications, including for high blood pressure, are diuretics (which, as mentioned above, make you pee more).
• Whether you’re pregnant. If you’ve ever been pregnant, you’ve likely noticed a change in how often you need to use the bathroom (translation: you’re constantly rushing to empty your bladder). Typically, in the first trimester, an increase of the hormones progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin cause increased urinary frequency, which might even out as your pregnancy progresses.

Basically, the number of times you pee throughout the day varies from person to person so there’s no cause for concern if you’re satisfied going five times while your partner goes ten times. The only thing to look out for is sudden changes in frequency, which, according to Cleveland Clinic, could be caused by urinary tract infections, an overactive bladder, undiagnosed diabetes, abnormal calcium levels in your body, diabetes, kidney stones or sickle cell anemia. If you suddenly notice you’re going to the bathroom 12 times a day instead of your normal five, reach out to a healthcare professional to figure out what’s behind the change.