Urologist warns more than 10 daily toilet trips may signal serious illness

A leading urological surgeon said going to the toilet more than 10 times a day could indicate a serious underlying health problem, including urinary tract infections, diabetes or, in rare cases, bladder cancer.

Mr. Hamid Abboudi, a urological surgeon who specialises in recurrent UTIs and bladder cancer at New Victoria Hospital, told Metro that normal daytime urinary frequency for most adults under 60 is five to eight times, with a single nighttime visit considered typical. He said that in midlife people generally should not be going to the toilet more than nine times a day or fewer than six.

Health guidance from the National Health Service recommends adults drink about six to eight glasses, or roughly 1.2 litres, of fluids a day, including water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks such as tea and coffee. Abboudi warned that caffeine can have a diuretic effect and may contribute to an overactive bladder later in life.

Experts and health services list several medical and physiological causes of increased urinary frequency. Urinary tract infections are common — the NHS says they are the most frequent bacterial infection in women, with more than half of women expected to experience at least one in their lifetime — and can cause an overwhelming urge to urinate, abdominal pain and a burning sensation. Left untreated, recurrent or severe UTIs can lead to complications such as kidney damage or sepsis, Abboudi said.

Diabetes can also increase urine production, and blood in the urine, pain on passing urine, increased urgency and general malaise are among the symptoms associated with bladder cancer. Abboudi noted bladder cancer most commonly affects people over 60, when age-related changes to bladder function and muscle strength make urinary problems more likely.

Age-related changes to hormone production affect nocturia, the need to get up at night to urinate. The body naturally produces less antidiuretic hormone (ADH) with age, meaning more urine is processed overnight. For men, enlargement of the prostate gland can press on the bladder and increase daytime and nighttime frequency. Older patients are also more likely to be taking medications such as diuretics, some antidepressants, hormone replacement therapy or sedatives, all of which can alter the normal processes of storing and passing urine or increase urine production.

Abboudi said that while increased frequency in teenage years can result from hormonal changes and is often not concerning, persistence into adulthood warrants investigation. He advised that for adults over 60, up to 10 daytime toilet trips may not be unusual because of the combined effects of aging and medications.

Clinicians use a combination of patient history, urinalysis and, where appropriate, imaging or cystoscopy to diagnose the cause of frequent urination. Red flags prompting urgent medical review commonly include visible blood in the urine, severe pain, fever, sudden and marked changes in urinary habits, or signs of systemic illness.

Public health guidance continues to emphasise balanced fluid intake and attention to symptoms. People experiencing persistent changes in urinary frequency, pain, visible blood in the urine or other concerning symptoms are advised to consult a healthcare professional for assessment.

The comments from Abboudi follow broader efforts by clinicians to clarify what constitutes normal urinary habits across the lifespan and to encourage timely investigation of changes that could indicate treatable or serious conditions.