Urine and Urination

Summary

Your kidneys make urine by filtering wastes and extra water from your blood. The waste is called urea. Your blood carries it to the kidneys. From the kidneys, urine travels down two thin tubes called ureters to the bladder. The bladder stores urine until you are ready to urinate. It swells into a round shape when it is full and gets smaller when empty. If your urinary system is healthy, your bladder can hold up to 16 ounces (2 cups) of urine comfortably for 2 to 5 hours.

You may have problems with urination if you have:

• Kidney failure
• Urinary tract infections
• An enlarged prostate
• Bladder control problems like incontinence, overactive bladder, or interstitial cystitis
• A blockage that prevents you from emptying your bladder

Some conditions may also cause you to have blood or protein in your urine. If you have a urinary problem, see your health care provider. Urinalysis and other urine tests can help to diagnose the problem. Treatment depends on the cause.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Older Adults

• 15 Tips to Keep Your Bladder Healthy National Institute on Aging

Encyclopedia

• Chloride – urine test Medical Encyclopedia
• Cystoscopy Medical Encyclopedia
• Cytology exam of urine Medical Encyclopedia
• Fractional excretion of sodium Medical Encyclopedia
• Indwelling catheter care Medical Encyclopedia
• Osmolality urine test Medical Encyclopedia
• Osmotic diuresis Medical Encyclopedia
• Self catheterization – female Medical Encyclopedia
• Self catheterization – male Medical Encyclopedia
• Sodium urine test Medical Encyclopedia
• Suprapubic catheter care Medical Encyclopedia
• Urea nitrogen urine test Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinary catheters – what to ask your doctor Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinary incontinence products – self-care Medical Encyclopedia
• Urination – excessive amount Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine – abnormal color Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine chemistry Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine collection – infants Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine concentration test Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine culture Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine culture – catheterized specimen Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine drainage bags Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine drug screen Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine output – decreased Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine protein electrophoresis test Medical Encyclopedia
• Uroflowmetry Medical Encyclopedia

Children

• Chyluria (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Hydronephrosis in Newborns National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
• Urine Test: Dipstick (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Clean catch urine sample Medical Encyclopedia
• Frequent or urgent urination Medical Encyclopedia
• RBC urine test Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinalysis Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinary catheters Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinary Retention National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Urinating more at night Medical Encyclopedia
• Urination – difficulty with flow Medical Encyclopedia
• Urination – painful Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine – bloody Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine 24-hour volume Medical Encyclopedia
• Urine odor Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Dysuria National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Urination National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Urination Disorders National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Urine National Institutes of Health

Specifics

• Fainting during Urination (Micturition Syncope): What Causes It? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Foamy Urine: What Does It Mean? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Frequent Urination Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Urinary Retention National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Genetics

• Ochoa syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Journal Articles

• Urine and Urination

Statistics and Research

• Study Discovers Gene that Helps Us Know when It’s Time to Urinate National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center

Treatments and Therapies

• Urinalysis: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Urinary Diversion National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Men

• Urinary Dysfunction Prostate Cancer Foundation

Start Here

• Urinary Tract and How It Works National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Urination Problems American Academy of Family Physicians
• Urine Color Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Urine Odor Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Diagnosis and Tests

• Urodynamic Testing National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases