Urinating is a vital bodily function that removes waste from the body. Most people urinate between 6-8 times per day. But how long can someone survive without urinating at all? Here is an in-depth look at how long humans can live without peeing.
Normal Urination Habits
On average, healthy adults urinate between 6-8 times per day. This equates to about 1.5-2 liters of urine output per day. The normal color of urine ranges from pale yellow to deep amber. The number of daily urinations can be influenced by:
- Fluid intake
- Medications such as diuretics
- Caffeine and alcohol intake
- Pregnancy
- Health conditions like diabetes and UTIs
Most people urinate more frequently during the daytime hours and less often at night. Holding urine for too long during the day can lead to urinary tract infections.
What Happens When You Don’t Urinate?
Urine is formed by the kidneys, which act as natural filters for the blood. As the blood passes through the kidneys, excess water and waste products like urea are removed and collected in the bladder as urine. When the bladder reaches its storage capacity of about 16-24 ounces, it triggers the urge to pee. Holding urine beyond the initial urge to go can stretch the bladder and lead to damage over time.
If a person does not urinate at all, the following can occur:
- Bladder distension: The bladder continues stretched beyond its limits and can leak, rupture, or lose function.
- Urinary tract infections: Bacteria can multiply in urine that sits in the bladder, infecting the bladder and kidneys.
- Kidney damage: Waste builds up in the bloodstream and overworks the kidneys. This can lead to kidney stones, kidney infection, and kidney failure.
- Incontinence: Loss of bladder control from bladder stretching or nerve damage.
- Urosepsis: A life-threatening infection in the bloodstream caused by urinary tract bacteria.
As you can see, not urinating is very dangerous and can quickly turn life-threatening. But just how long can the human body go without peeing?
How Long Can You Live Without Urinating?
A person can only survive a few days at most without urinating at all. However, significant complications can arise within hours or days.
Here is a timeline of what happens when you stop peeing:
| Timeframe | Effects |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes to 1 hour | You’ll likely start to feel an urgent sensation that you need to pee as your bladder fills. |
| 2 to 6 hours | Bladder discomfort increases. You may leak small amounts of urine involuntarily. |
| 6 to 24 hours | The bladder will be extremely distended. Kidney function starts to be impacted. Dehydration sets in. |
| 24 to 48 hours | Kidney damage occurs from waste buildup. Extreme dehydration leads to electrolyte imbalances. Risk of urinary tract infection increases. |
| 3 to 5 days | Kidney failure is likely. Toxins accumulate in the bloodstream. Coma and death can occur if left untreated. |
As you can see from the timeline, severe complications happen within 24 hours of not urinating. Once you pass the 48 hour mark, the risk of permanent kidney damage or even death significantly increases.
Who’s at Risk of Not Urinating?
Certain medical conditions can make it difficult or impossible to urinate normally. People at increased risk of urinary retention include:
- Men with enlarged prostate: Common in older men, this constricts the urethra.
- Women with pelvic organ prolapse: When pelvic structures drop and compress the urethra.
- People with urinary tract blockages: Kidney stones, bladder stones, or prostate cancer can block urine flow.
- Spinal cord injury patients: Nerve damage prevents normal bladder function.
- Post-surgical patients: Temporary swelling can compress the urethra after surgery.
- People taking opioids: Opioid pain medications interfere with urination signals between the brain and bladder.
People with the above conditions are at high risk for urinary retention. They need to be monitored closely to avoid emergency scenarios caused by an inability to urinate.
How is Urinary Retention Treated?
If someone is unable to urinate, immediate medical treatment is vital. Here are some common treatments for urinary retention:
- Catheterization: A thin tube is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine. This provides immediate relief.
- Medications: Muscle relaxants and alpha blockers relax the bladder and urethral muscles to promote voiding.
- Surgery: Treatment of enlarged prostate, kidney stones, or anatomical abnormalities to remove obstructions.
- Intermittent self-catheterization: People with chronic urinary retention issues may need to learn to insert catheters themselves multiple times per day.
If kidney damage has occurred from urinary retention, dialysis may be needed until kidney function improves. Untreated urinary retention can have long-term consequences, so prompt medical care is crucial.
When Should You Seek Emergency Care?
Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following:
- No urine output for 4-6 hours despite feeling an intense urge to urinate
- Difficulty urinating and passing only small amounts of urine
- Leaking urine or damp underwear even when not actively urinating
- Fever, chills, and back pain along with urinary problems
- Change in level of consciousness such as confusion or sleepiness
- Severe dehydration symptoms like extreme thirst, dry mouth, and lightheadedness
Any of these signs could indicate a medical emergency such as a kidney infection, sepsis, or bladder rupture. You should go to an emergency room or call 911 for immediate assistance. Prompt treatment is needed to prevent permanent kidney damage or life-threatening complications.
Preventing Urinary Retention
You can reduce your risk of developing urinary retention by:
- Not delaying when you feel the urge to urinate
- Urinating regularly every 2-4 hours during the day
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and other irritants that can cause urinary urgency
- Staying hydrated to produce adequate urine output
- Doing Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking to prevent prostate enlargement in men
People with medical conditions that affect urination should urinate on a scheduled timed interval, such as every 3-4 hours. Stay in contact with your healthcare provider about any persisting urinary problems.
Conclusion
Healthy kidneys continually produce urine, so voluntarily holding urine for more than several hours can have consequences. Within as little as 6 hours, bladder stretching and kidney damage can start to occur. After 24 hours without urinating, the risk of urinary tract infections, dehydration, and kidney failure escalate quickly. While individual tolerance levels vary, total urine retention beyond 2-3 days almost always results in permanent kidney damage or death if not treated promptly. Seeking emergency care for inability to urinate is crucial.