Frequent Urination in Men: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Frequent urination can be frustrating, disruptive, and sometimes embarrassing for men. While occasional changes in bathroom habits are normal, consistently needing to urinate more often than usual may signal an underlying health issue.
This guide explains the common causes of frequent urination in men, the symptoms to watch for, and when it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider.
What Counts as Frequent Urination?
Most adults urinate six to eight times per day, depending on fluid intake, activity level, and health status. Going much more often — especially if it disrupts sleep — is considered frequent urination.
Frequent urination becomes concerning when it is paired with:
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Sudden urgency.
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Burning or pain with urination.
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Blood in the urine.
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Difficulty starting urination.
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Waking up many times at night to urinate.
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Weak urine stream.
Read on to explore our complete guide to at-home kidney function testing and how it works.
Common Causes of Frequent Urination in Men
Frequent urination has many possible causes. Some are mild and temporary, while others require medical evaluation.
1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
The prostate sits below the bladder and wraps around the urethra. As men age, it often enlarges. This can press on the urethra and make the bladder work harder, resulting in:
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Frequent urination.
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Weak stream.
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Dribbling.
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Difficulty starting urination.
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Feeling like the bladder isn’t empty.
BPH is extremely common in men over 50.
2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Although less common in men, UTIs can still occur and cause:
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Frequent urination.
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Burning or discomfort.
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Cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
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Pelvic or lower abdominal pain.
UTIs in men often require prompt medical treatment.
3. Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
High blood sugar pulls excess fluid into the urine. Frequent urination is often one of the first symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes.
Other signs include:
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Excessive thirst.
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Fatigue.
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Blurred vision.
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Slow-healing wounds.
4. Overactive Bladder (OAB)
Overactive bladder occurs when the bladder muscles contract suddenly, even when not full. It can cause:
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A sudden urge to urinate.
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Frequent urination both day and night.
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Urge incontinence in some cases.
OAB can affect men of any age.
5. Prostatitis
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate and can be bacterial or nonbacterial. Symptoms may include:
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Frequent or urgent urination.
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Pelvic or perineal pain.
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Painful ejaculation.
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Difficulty urinating.
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Fever or chills (with bacterial prostatitis).
6. Kidney Problems
Issues such as kidney stones, infections, or chronic kidney disease may increase urination frequency.
Symptoms may include:
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Flank pain.
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Blood in the urine.
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Nausea.
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Swelling in the feet or face.
7. Medications and Lifestyle Factors
Certain medications and habits can increase urination, including:
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Diuretics.
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Caffeine.
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Alcohol.
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Very high fluid intake.
Nocturia: Frequent Urination at Night
Many men notice they wake up several times during the night. Causes include:
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Enlarged prostate.
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High salt intake.
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Heart failure.
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Diabetes.
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Sleep apnea.
Treating the underlying condition often improves nighttime urination.
Read on in our UTI testing guide to better understand symptoms and treatment.
When Frequent Urination Is a Sign of a Serious Problem
Seek medical attention if you experience:
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Blood in your urine.
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New or severe pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen.
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Fever, chills, or nausea.
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Difficulty urinating despite strong urge.
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Sudden uncontrolled leakage.
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Unexplained weight loss.
These may indicate infection, kidney problems, or prostate issues requiring urgent care.
How Frequent Urination Is Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider may use:
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Urinalysis.
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Urine culture.
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Prostate exam.
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Kidney and bladder ultrasound.
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Blood sugar tests.
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PSA test.
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Bladder scan for post-void residual.
These tests help identify infection, prostate changes, kidney issues, or diabetes.
Read on in our article about glucose in urine to learn about causes and symptoms.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
For BPH:
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Medications to relax or shrink the prostate.
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Minimally invasive procedures.
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Surgery for severe cases.
For UTIs:
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Antibiotics.
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Increased hydration.
For diabetes:
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Blood sugar control.
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Lifestyle changes.
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Diabetes medications.
For overactive bladder:
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Bladder training.
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Pelvic floor therapy.
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Medications.
For prostatitis:
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Antibiotics.
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Anti-inflammatory medicines.
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Lifestyle adjustments.
Read on in our overview of the Ribbon Checkup urine test to see how home testing can support your health.
Lifestyle Tips for Reducing Frequent Urination
You may find relief by making small changes:
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Reduce caffeine and alcohol.
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Limit fluids a few hours before bed.
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Maintain a healthy weight.
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Practice pelvic floor exercises.
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Manage blood sugar if diabetic.
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Avoid bladder irritants such as spicy foods or carbonated drinks.
These habits help support bladder and prostate health.
The Bottom Line
Frequent urination in men can stem from harmless habits or signal a deeper issue like diabetes, prostate problems, or infection. Paying attention to accompanying symptoms helps you determine whether it’s time to consult a doctor.
Most causes are treatable, and early evaluation leads to better outcomes. If frequent urination affects your daily life, disrupts sleep, or causes discomfort, a medical evaluation can provide clarity and relief.
Noticing frequent urination and want to check your kidney or prostate health?
You can take an at-home kidney, prostate, and metabolic panel test through Ribbon Checkup and get results in days.
Related Resources
Want to dive deeper into kidney health? Check out these helpful reads:
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The Complete Guide to At-Home Kidney Function Tests – Stay on top of kidney health with simple home testing.
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How Long Do Kidney Stones Last? Must Know – Get clarity on how long kidney stones typically last.
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What Can Mimic Kidney Stone Pain? – Learn about other conditions that cause similar pain.
References
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Frequent urination: Causes, what it means & how to stop. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/15533-frequent-urination
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, September 11). Common causes for frequent urination in men. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/frequent-urination-in-men
Enrich Family Practice. (n.d.). What causes frequent urination in men? https://www.enrichfamilypractice.com/blog/what-causes-frequent-urination-in-men
American Prostate Centers. (n.d.). Frequent urination — BPH symptoms. https://americanprostatecenters.com/bph-symptoms/frequent-urination
MedlinePlus. (2024, May 17). Frequent or urgent urination. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003140.htm
Dunkin, M. A. (2023, September 5). Frequent urination in men and women: Causes & treatments. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/frequent-urination-causes-and-treatments
Healthline. (2016, October 11). Overactive bladder in men: Causes, diagnosis, and treatment. https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder-men
SingleCare. (2023, August 7). What causes frequent urination? Related conditions and treatments. https://www.singlecare.com/conditions/frequent-urination-causes
Cristiano, C. (2022, June 26). Frequent urination: Causes in women, men, and more. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder/frequent-urination-women
