The #1 Habit That Could Be Harming Your Bladder Health

Bladder issues are no fun. They can be painful, embarrassing, and in some cases may significantly impact your daily routine and quality of life. While some bladder conditions may be out of your control, many are caused—at least in part—by lifestyle habits.

Certain activities or routines can make bladder-related issues more likely or can aggravate existing conditions you may already have. The good news is, that means there are steps you can take to lessen the severity and/or frequency of bladder issues—or possibly even prevent them completely.

Here are the top lifestyle habits doctors cited as culprits that could put your bladder health a risk.

Related: One Common Habit That Could Be Damaging Your Liver, According to a Gastroenterologist

The #1 habit that harms bladder health

Smoking

You likely already know that smoking is bad for your heart and lungs, but you may not realize how harmful it can be for your bladder. Dr. Robert Mordkin, Chief of Urology at Virginia Hospital Center and Chief Medical Officer for LetsGetChecked, says, “The biggest single lifestyle habit that is bad for bladder health is smoking. People who are smokers increase their risk of developing bladder cancer substantially.” Indeed, the American Cancer Society says people who smoke are at least three times more likely to get bladder cancer than non-smokers.

Related: Which One's Worse for Your Lungs, Vaping or Smoking? 

4 More lifestyle habits that harm bladder health

1. Eating or drinking things that cause bladder irritation

“A common problem is an overactive bladder, which is defined as urinary urgency and/or frequency and urge-related leakage,” says Dr. R. Mark Ellerkmann, Director of The Urogynecology Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. “So it’s the classic ‘gotta go’ rush where you don’t make it to the bathroom in time. Anything that irritates the bladder can cause it to be overactive. As we get older, I believe our bladders become less tolerant to certain irritants in the diet. Classic ones are chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, citrus juices, and artificial sweeteners. Staying away from known dietary bladder irritants can help minimize symptoms of overactive bladder.”

Related: Coffee Vs Tea: Which One's Healthier?

2. Waiting too long to use the bathroom

“Don’t hold your bladder too long,” advises Dr. Ellerkmann. “You get your bladder over-distended and that’s not good. You don’t necessarily need to be on a rigid schedule, but you should void when you first need to go, instead of waiting.”

Dr. Mordkin adds, “Some people think that they can train their bladder to hold more, but that can actually damage the bladder, so it is best to ‘answer the call’ when their bladder tells them it's time to go."

Related: Should You Drink a Gallon of Water a Day? 

3. Not urinating after sex

This one is gender-specific, primarily affecting women. “A common problem that some women experience is a urinary tract infection (UTI) after sexual relations,” says Dr. Ellerkmann. “Making sure to get up and empty their bladder right after intercourse is an important strategy to help minimize the risk of getting a bladder infection.”

4. Drinking too much water

This one may be surprising, as many people may not realize there can be downsides to drinking too much water. “There’s a push now to drink a lot of water—and while it’s important to stay sufficiently hydrated, it’s possible to go too far,” says Dr. Ellerkmann. “There are a lot of fad diets out there that have people drinking water almost excessively. One can actually drink too much water—it’s called water intoxication, where sodium levels can get dangerously low. Drinking when you are thirsty is important, for sure, but I tell my patients to let their thirst be their guide.”

Next up: Peeing a Lot? Here Are a Few Reasons Why

Sources

• Bladder Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer Society. Accessed 11/30/21

• Bladder-Irritating Foods. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed 11/30/21

• Dr. R. Mark Ellerkmann, Director of The Urogynecology Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland

• Dr. Robert Mordkin, Chief of Urology at Virginia Hospital Center and Chief Medical Officer for LetsGetChecked