Why do we feel the urge to urinate more in cold weather?

Associated Services

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy

With winter just around the corner, it’s not uncommon to experience more frequent urges to urinate. According to a survey conducted by Intimina, nearly 70% of participants reported increased urinary urgency in winter, sometimes accompanied by leakage during activities such as coughing or sneezing compared to other times of the year.

Here are some possible explanations:

Cold-induced diuresis: When there is a risk of hypothermia, the body responds by increasing blood pressure to vital organs to maintain warmth, prompting the kidneys to filter more blood and excess fluid. This leads to increased urine production in the bladder and therefore more frequent urination.
Reduced sweating: In cold weather, sweating decreases. The body compensates by excreting more water through urine than in the summer months.
Bladder and muscle response to cold: In response to cold, the bladder and surrounding muscles contract, increasing abdominal and bladder pressure, which results in stronger and more frequent urges to urinate. Abdominal and pelvic muscle tone also increases.
Higher risk of infections: Winter favors the development and spread of bacterial and viral illnesses (flu, gastroenteritis, colds…), and our immune system may be weakened. This can increase the risk of urinary tract infections (cystitis). In addition, coughing and sneezing during a viral infection increase abdominal pressure on the bladder, which can exceed the holding capacity of the pelvic muscles and cause urine leakage.

How to reduce the risk of urinary leaks and urgent urges?

Proper management of urinary habits—such as controlled hydration, reducing bladder irritants, and engaging the pelvic floor during exertion—can greatly help reduce urgent urges. Knowing how to correctly contract the perineal muscles when the need arises can even make the sensation of urgency disappear. A voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, followed by a complete relaxation, inhibits bladder contraction and allows better control over urges. These exercises are discreet and can be done anytime, anywhere, making it easy to integrate them into your daily routine.

It’s important to note that if urges become urgent and are accompanied by urinary leaks, a consultation with a pelvic physiotherapist is recommended.

The goals?

Teaching proper pelvic floor contraction and guiding you toward optimal bladder rehabilitation. The physiotherapist will first carry out a complete evaluation, including your lifestyle and urinary habits, abdominal muscle function, and, when necessary, an internal examination to better understand pelvic floor dysfunctions. Personalized advice and exercises will then be provided.

Do not hesitate to consult a pelvic health expert at Kinatex.