Recently, an uncle from Harbin flew to Fuzhou and happened to sit next to a beautiful woman from Harbin. They hit it off and chatted animatedly. Later, the uncle needed to use the restroom, but considering his overweight physique and the inconvenience of moving around, he feared losing face and held it in for six hours. As soon as he stepped off the plane, he fainted and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, diagnosed with "economy class syndrome."
In daily life, many have experienced holding their urine—some due to work meetings, others out of laziness. Regardless of the reason, caution is advised. Urine is a waste product containing various toxins. When retained in the body for extended periods, these toxins can pose significant health risks.
1. Holding urine may lead to bladder cancer
The downsides of holding urine are numerous. When urine remains in the bladder too long, bacteria multiply, increasing the risk of cystitis, urethritis, and stone formation. Prolonged retention can also cause urine reflux, leading to pyelonephritis, and in severe cases, impair kidney function.
Holding urine may also cause micturition syncope or contribute to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Chronic retention can weaken the sphincter muscles, leading to urinary incontinence. Research indicates that individuals with a habit of holding urine have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer than the general population.
2. Holding urine impairs urination
Prolonged urine retention causes urethral sphincter spasms or detrusor muscle weakness (akin to a malfunctioning reservoir valve or insufficient pump power). This is the primary cause of urinary retention or difficulty urinating after prolonged holding.
This is particularly common among individuals with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Due to prostate enlargement, residual urine remains after each voiding. Chronic urinary retention compounded by further urine retention can damage bladder nerves, leading to neurogenic bladder. This condition causes loss of bladder distension sensation or impairment of detrusor muscle contraction, resulting in urinary dysfunction.
3. Holding Urine Harms Sexual Well-being
1. The lower segment of the male urethra often harbors bacteria. Urination flushes these bacteria away. Frequent urine retention weakens this flushing effect, allowing bacteria to multiply and travel retrograde into the posterior urethra, potentially causing prostatitis.
2. Men with premature ejaculation should avoid holding urine. While some claim urine retention enhances sexual pleasure by increasing arousal and erection firmness, this method is ineffective for premature ejaculation and may even worsen the condition.
Experts note that premature ejaculation stems from hypersensitivity. Urinary stimulation further heightens this sensitivity. Moreover, the urge to urinate forces men to divert attention to control leakage, diminishing sexual satisfaction and potentially causing erectile dysfunction from excessive restraint.