Chapter 1: The Consequences of Holding It In

I vividly recall a journey I took years ago, driving seven hours south to Jonesborough, Tennessee, for the National Storytelling Festival—a spectacular event brimming with personal narratives. The excitement led me to forgo bathroom breaks during the entire trip. By the time I reached my accommodations for the weekend, my bladder felt like an overpressurized geyser, ready to burst.

As described in the National Geographic encyclopedia, “A geyser is a rare kind of hot spring that is under pressure and erupts, sending jets of water and steam into the air.” After a lengthy car ride, I definitely felt akin to a geyser. Fortunately, my much-needed bathroom visit resolved my predicament, but I realized how fortunate I was.

I learned that I wasn't alone in this experience. Wendy Anderson, a marketing manager from Connecticut, shared a similar story. Approximately ten years ago, she found herself stuck in traffic for two hours on her way to a concert and, lacking any suitable options, decided to hold it. “I couldn't possibly do that in public,” she recounted. “It took everything I had to avoid an accident; it was quite humiliating.”

A few days later, Anderson began to feel a burning sensation in her urinary tract. “I couldn’t concentrate on my work; I was constantly in and out of the bathroom,” she explained. Eventually, her doctor prescribed antibiotics, and she recovered within a week.

Regularly delaying urination can lead to significant health issues. Lynnetta Faith Payne, a urologist at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, West Virginia, cautioned me about the potential long-term effects. When you consume liquids, they travel to your kidneys before being stored in your bladder. “The bladder has two primary roles: to hold urine and to release it,” Payne stated. Ignoring your body's signals can harm the bladder's function over time.

Brian Stork, a urologist and assistant professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, has seen numerous patients who developed urinary issues after long drives without restroom breaks. “If the bladder is not emptied regularly, the muscle fibers around it can stretch and weaken,” he explained. “If left unchecked, this can lead to bladder dysfunction.”

The Impact of Energy Drinks

The situation worsens for those consuming large drinks, such as the Big Gulp®, during long trips. A Big Gulp® contains 30 ounces, while a Super Big Gulp® holds 40 ounces and a Double Big Gulp® a whopping 50 ounces. In contrast, a typical adult's bladder can hold around 300 to 400 ml of urine (approximately 10.1 to 13.5 ounces), according to Medical News Today.

This means that indulging in these massive beverages may lead to needing between 3.7 and 4.9 bathroom breaks for every Double Big Gulp® consumed. And that's not accounting for any coffee or other drinks you might have had before your journey.

Although these drinks are marketed as thirst-quenchers, indulging in them comes with a cost: frequent trips to the restroom. For those who neglect bathroom breaks, serious complications can arise. Stork refrained from discussing worst-case scenarios but referenced an article by the Urology Care Foundation on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

Risks of Prolonged Urinary Retention

BPH occurs when a man's prostate and surrounding tissue enlarge, potentially resembling the size of an orange. Over time, this condition can weaken the bladder and impair its ability to empty completely. This is concerning for anyone, including you, the reader.

Stork likens urine flow to the movement of water in nature. “Clear, flowing water signifies health, while stagnant water can breed bacteria,” he cautions. Holding in urine allows bacteria to multiply within the bladder's lining, much like a stagnant pond.

Seeking Natural Remedies

Curious about how a naturopathic approach might address complications from infrequent urination, I sought insights from a naturopathic doctor in New York through the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges but didn't receive a response. However, I understand that natural remedies, such as herbal treatments, can effectively address various ailments if applied correctly.

One thing is certain: when your bladder isn't functioning properly, it can disrupt your overall health.

From on-duty nurses to long-haul truck drivers, many individuals become so focused on their tasks that they neglect their need to urinate, just as I was fixated on reaching the storytelling festival. Regardless of your profession, it's essential to heed your body's signals and urinate regularly, typically every couple of hours.

As John Scalzi, the 2013 Hugo Award-winning author, aptly noted: “I’m going to go pee. If the universe is bigger and stranger than I can imagine, it’s best to meet it with an empty bladder.”

If you're contemplating holding it in, think again. The world can wait for a moment, but your bladder cannot. Unlike the characters in Urinetown, the acclaimed satirical musical, you have the freedom to relieve yourself whenever and wherever you choose.

Just take a moment to pee, and then continue on with your day.

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