What does my bladder do?

The bladder stretches as it fills and stores the urine, until you decide it is convenient for you to empty it.  The bladder then contracts, the pelvic floor muscles relax and then urine passes out of the body through the urethra.

Where are my kidneys and bladder?

Your bladder lies in your pelvis, behind your pubic bone.  It is a muscular sac that expands as it fills with urine.

Your kidneys lie just below your rib cage, on either side of your spine.

How is urine made?

The kidneys filter your blood and removes excess water and waste products.  These waste products are now called urine.  The urine passes down through the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored.

Normal urine is light straw coloured and has an inoffensive odour.  This may change depending on what you eat and drink.  Urine should flow freely without pain.

 

How often should I pass urine?

An adult bladder will need to be emptied every 3 to 5 hours during the day and possibly once during the night.  That means emptying your bladder 6 to 8 times in a 24 hour period if you drink 1.5 to 2 litres (3 to 4 pints) of fluid.  Passing urine during the night can increase with age.

How do the pelvic floor muscles help control the bladder?

Your body controls bladder function in many ways.  One way is by having strong pelvic floor muscles.  These muscles form a hammock at the bottom of your pelvis.  They help you to support your bladder and bowel. They also help to control the passage of urine and faeces (bowel movements). Strong pelvic floor muscles may help prevent the leakage of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise or when you feel desperate to pass urine.

Published: 16/10/2020 11:46