Understanding Typical Bladder Function in Women / people with vaginas

Author: Joh-Ann Gouws

Physiotherapist with a special interest in pelvic health

Our bladder function is an important part of health that we often overlook, take for granted or feel too embarrassed to discuss. To recognize when something is not working as expected, it is important to know what is considered typical bladder function. This can help you identify potential problems early; you can seek the help you need.

Please note that the values and typical function discussed here applies to adult women (people with vaginas) without medical conditions that could affect your bladder like diabetes, heart or kidney problems amongst others. These values could also be different for people who are pregnant or part of the older population.

For a quick FREE resource on typical bladder function in women / people with vaginas, visit the following link. It also includes a questionnaire that you can complete about your own bladder symptoms. Free resources | Pelvic Therapy (thepelvictherapist.wixsite.com) 

So what is considered typical bladder function?

How many times should we urinate in a day? For most people, urinating between 4 and 7 times a day is considered typical. This amount can however vary depending on your fluid intake, physical activity and individual health conditions. During sleep, it is considered normal to wake up only once if needed to urinate.

How much urine should our bladders be able to hold? For most women / people with vaginas, their bladder will be able to hold between 400 and 500 millilitres of urine when it is maximally full. The urge to urinate may start occurring when the bladder is about half full, but that doesn’t mean that we should urinate every time at this first urge sensation as this may cause your bladder to learn bad habits.

What should your urine colour be? If you are adequately hydrated, the colour of your urine should be a pale yellow or straw colour. Not drinking enough fluids, especially water, could result in darker urine. Certain vitamins or foods could also change the colour of your urine. It is uncommon to be overhydrated, but urine that is extremely clear could potentially indicate over hydration and in some people could cause electrolyte imbalances.

What else is considered typical bladder behaviour? Your bladder should give you adequate feedback when it is getting full, but you should be able to control your urine until you reach the toilet. In other words, you shouldn’t experience any leaking.

Factors Affecting Bladder Function

As I’ve mentioned, these values are for adults with no other considerations that could affect the bladder. Several factors can influence bladder function in women / people with vaginas, including:

• Age: Bladder capacity may decrease with age, leading to more frequent trips to the restroom.

• Hormonal Changes: Menopause and hormonal fluctuations can affect bladder control and sensitivity.

• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and the pressure of the growing uterus can lead to increased urination frequency.

  
  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  

While some variations in these typical values can be considered normal, it is important to know how a person’s life is affected by their symptoms.

Common concerns pelvic physiotherapists help people deal with.

Urgency: This is a sudden, strong feeling of needing to urinate that you have no control over and interferes with your life.

Frequency: Needing to urinate more often than would be ideal. For healthy people who are below the age of 65 and are not pregnant, frequency would typically be a problem if you can’t hold on for at least 2 hours.

Incontinence: If you leak urine without being able to control it, it is something that warrants treatment.

Pain/discomfort: Pain when you have a full bladder or during urination is not normal and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

There are some basic things you can do to help your bladder function and sometimes a few easy lifestyle changes is all you need to get control back. It is however important to seek individual help if some basic changes is not having the desired outcome.

Understanding what is normal for bladder function in women / people with vaginas is crucial for maintaining overall health. By being aware of your body’s signals and seeking help when needed, you can promote a healthy bladder and improve your quality of life. Remember, open conversations about bladder health are important and can lead to better outcomes.