Why Holding Urine for Long Periods Causes Lower Abdominal and Stomach Pain

When you hold your urine for an extended period, the bladder becomes overly full, causing the bladder muscles to stretch. This stretching can lead to discomfort and a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen. The detrusor muscle in the bladder contains numerous sensory receptors, which become activated when the muscle is stretched excessively. As a result, the body interpreces this overextension as pain.

In addition, when the bladder remains full for too long, the muscles in the urethra, pelvic floor, and lower abdominal region remain tense. Over time, this sustained tension can lead to significant discomfort or even sharp pain. This sensation serves as a natural signal to the body that it's time to urinate and relieve the pressure.

If the urge to urinate is ignored repeatedly, the normal signaling between the brain and the bladder may become disrupted. In severe cases, this can lead to acute urinary retention, where the person is unable to empty the bladder on their own. In such situations, emergency medical attention is required, and catheterization may be necessary to drain the bladder and allow it to recover.

Moreover, chronic habituation of holding urine for long periods can cause long-term damage to the bladder muscles and nerves. This can impair the bladder's ability to function properly over time. Therefore, developing healthy bathroom habits like regular urination is highly recommended to maintain optimal urinary health and prevent unnecessary discomfort or complications.