Do you feel like you’re constantly running to the bathroom to pee? Or, do you feel like you never have to pee? It might not seem like a big deal, but how often you pee is an important indicator of your overall health. So how often should you pee?
On average, peeing four to eight times a day is considered normal. But of course, everybody is different and how often you pee can be affected by many factors. For example, diuretics like supplements, specifically magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, certain medications, coffee, and alcohol can all make you pee more frequently.
And it’s not just liquids that make you go, the foods you eat also have an affect. Foods high in sugar and acid—think citrus, tomatoes, and chocolate—make you pee more, and foods high in sodium can cause you to pee less.
If you’ve noticed you haven’t been peeing as often as usual, it could be due to dehydration, high calcium levels, or in men, prostate problems. Increasing your water intake and intake of foods with higher water content can help with dehydration. Talk to your doctor if you’re feeling well hydrated and still peeing less often.
On the other hand, an increased frequency can be just as important to notice and can be a sign of conditions like diabetes, a urinary tract infection, pelvic floor weakness or an overactive bladder.
Regardless of how many times you pee each day, if you notice a change in what is normal for you, it’s important that you talk to your doctor.
