Can Holding Urine Cause Bleeding?
Everyone has the ability to hold urine, and we can control it when we feel the urge to urinate but cannot do so immediately. Appropriate urine retention does not have a significant impact on the body, but frequent urine retention can lead to various health issues. One of the potential consequences of frequent urine retention is bleeding.
Frequent urine retention can indeed lead to bleeding. Prolonged urine retention can cause urinary tract infections, manifesting as hematuria, frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination. Urinary tract infections can be divided into upper and lower urinary tract infections based on the location of the infection. They can also be classified as isolated or sporadic infections and recurrent infections based on the relationship between infections. Recurrent infections can further be categorized as reinfections and persistent bacterial infections, with the latter also known as relapses. Additionally, infections can be classified as simple, complex, or urosepsis based on the state of the urinary tract during the infection.
Firstly, frequent urine retention increases the risk of bladder cancer. Holding urine for extended periods allows bacteria to proliferate in the bladder, leading to increased chances of developing bladder inflammation, urethritis, and even stones. Prolonged urine retention can also cause urine reflux, resulting in pyelonephritis and potentially affecting kidney function. After urine retention, individuals may experience urination-related syncope or develop cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Long-term urine retention can also lead to sphincter relaxation, ultimately resulting in urinary incontinence. According to research reports, individuals with a habit of urine retention have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer compared to the general population.
Secondly, urine retention can affect urination function. The process of urine storage and excretion in the human body is a complex regulatory mechanism. Prolonged urine retention can cause spasms in the urethral sphincter or weakness in the detrusor muscle (similar to a malfunctioning valve or insufficient pump power in a reservoir), leading to difficulties in urination or the inability to urinate after prolonged retention. This is especially common in individuals with prostatic hyperplasia, as residual urine after urination can lead to chronic urinary retention and further urine retention, damaging the bladder nerves and resulting in neurogenic bladder. This can lead to the loss of bladder relaxation sensation or damage to the contractile function of the detrusor muscle, also causing urination difficulties.
Thirdly, urine retention can contribute to impotence. Some individuals believe that holding urine can increase sexual arousal and erection, leading them to consider using urine retention during sexual intercourse as a method to treat premature ejaculation. However, this approach is ineffective and may even exacerbate the problem. Experts point out that premature ejaculation is often caused by excessive sensitivity, and the added stimulation of urine can make men more prone to premature ejaculation. Additionally, the urge to urinate can distract men during sexual activity, reducing the quality of their sexual experience and potentially leading to impotence due to excessive restraint.
