Published on: 5/21/2025
What Causes a Sudden Urge to Urinate?
A sudden urge to urinate is often caused by overactive bladder, where the bladder muscles contract too often or too strongly.
Explanation
A sudden urge to urinate can be linked to a condition known as overactive bladder. This happens when the bladder muscles start to contract more frequently or with more force than usual, even when the bladder isn't full.
Causes of Overactive Bladder:
- Bladder Muscle Activity: The main issue is that the bladder muscles are too active. This can lead to a strong, sudden need to urinate.
- Nerve Signals: Sometimes, the nerves that tell the bladder when to contract send signals at the wrong times.
What Happens:
- Urgency: You might feel like you need to go to the bathroom right away, even if you just went.
- Frequency: This can make you go to the bathroom more often than usual.
Understanding these causes can help in managing the symptoms. If you experience these symptoms, it's a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider for advice tailored to your situation.
(References)
- Miller J, & Hoffman E. (2006). The causes and consequences of overactive bladder. Journal of women's health (2002), 16620184.
- Steers WD. (2002). Pathophysiology of overactive bladder and urge urinary .... Reviews in urology, 16986023.
- Brubaker L. (2004). Urgency: the cornerstone symptom of overactive bladder. Urology, 15621222.
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Learn more about symptoms
Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.