Male • 2025. 06. 25.
It's very difficult to hold urine during the day as well as at night. I'm wondering if this is a symptom of an overactive bladder or if there's another problem.
Kyung-ho Ryu
Medical Director, Goldman Urology Clinic Gangnam
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition where, unlike cystitis, there is no inflammation in the bladder, but symptoms of frequent urination and inability to hold urine occur. Normally, people do not feel significant discomfort until the bladder holds about 400-500ml of urine. However, for those with OAB, the bladder muscles contract even with small amounts of urine, creating a strong urge that is difficult to suppress.
If you find yourself going to the bathroom more than 8 times a day, experiencing urgency where it's hard to hold it, or waking up during the night to urinate (nocturia), you may suspect an overactive bladder.
Finding the cause is the first step in treatment, so if uncomfortable symptoms persist, I recommend seeing a urologist. I hope this helps. Thank you.
* This answer is based on medical documents and cannot replace an actual diagnosis.