Immediate emptying of the bladder

• Prevention of urinary tract infections – Holding urine for extended periods promotes the multiplication of bacteria in the bladder. 

• Protection of bladder muscles – Regular emptying helps prevent overstretching of the bladder and dysfunction. 

• Avoidance of residual urine formation – Incomplete emptying can lead to an increased risk of infection and bladder irritation. 

• Reduction of bladder pressure and discomfort – An overfull bladder can cause pain, cramps, and uncontrollable urge to urinate.

1. Regular Urination

   • The bladder should be emptied at regular intervals, ideally every 3–4 hours.

   • At night, a longer interval between urinations may be normal, but medical advice should be sought if there is a need to urinate frequently at night.

2. Avoiding Strong Urine Retention

   • Prolonged retention can overload the bladder muscles and increase the risk of infections and dysfunctions.

   • Especially when there are signs of the urge to urinate, going to the toilet should not be unnecessarily delayed.

3. Complete Bladder Emptying

   • When urinating, care should be taken to ensure that the bladder is completely emptied.

   • A relaxed posture on the toilet can help facilitate emptying.

4. Urinating After Sexual Intercourse

   • Urinating after intimate contact is an important measure to prevent urinary tract infections, as it flushes bacteria out of the urethra.

5. Adequate Fluid Intake

   • Sufficient fluid intake promotes the natural flushing of the urinary tract and helps eliminate deposits or bacteria.

   • However, extreme amounts of fluid should be avoided to prevent unnecessary overloading of the bladder.

Insufficient or difficult bladder emptying can indicate health problems. Medical advice is required if:

• There is frequent urge to urinate, but only small amounts of urine are passed. 

• Problems occur with complete emptying or the urine stream is weak. 

• Pain or burning is felt during urination. 

• There is a feeling of incomplete emptying after urination.