![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2216655625.jpg\")
\n\t\tWondering what\u2019s \u2018normal\u2019? (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tWondering what\u2019s \u2018normal\u2019? (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Spending a penny, taking a tinkle, answering nature\u2019s call. We might all have different names<\/a> for it, but urination<\/a> is a near-universal experience \u2014 although how often you go, can be far more individual.<\/p>\n Some people wake up bursting multiple times a night, while others can go for a full working day without so much as a single trip to the loo<\/a> \u2014 and where you sit on this scale can say a lot<\/a> about your overall health<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to Hamid Abboudi, consultant urologist at New Victoria Hospital<\/a>, tea, coffee<\/a>, alcohol or fizzy drinks<\/a> can make you pee more often than usual, as they \u2019cause the bladder to become over active or over twitchy.\u2019<\/p>\n Medical conditions \u2013 including UTIs<\/a>, prostate<\/a> or bladder cancer, multiple sclerosis and strokes \u2013 can also impact this, along with your gender<\/a> and whether you\u2019re pregnant.<\/p>\n But the main factor affecting frequency is your age, as Hamid explains: \u2018Across a patient\u2019s life span there are likely to be several changes to toilet habits.\u2019<\/p>\n Wondering what\u2019s \u2018normal\u2019 for each stage of your life? Urine luck.<\/p>\n Children: 6 to 14 times a day<\/p>\n \u2018Young children may urinate 8 to 14 times a day, which decreases to 6-12 times for older children,\u2019 Hamid tells Metro.\u00a0<\/p>\n If a child needs to pee more often than this, it could be down to one of the following issues:<\/p>\n Caffeine consumption, which increases urine output and can cause bladder muscle spasms<\/p>\n Constipation<\/p>\n Consuming ingredients a child is allergic to<\/p>\n Holding on urine for too long<\/p>\n Small bladder capacity<\/p>\n Structural abnormalities in the bladder or urethra<\/p>\n Teenagers: 4 to 6 times a day<\/p>\n While teenagers typically pee around 4-6 times a day, it\u2019s not uncommon for this to increase while they\u2019re going through puberty and the \u2018transition of hormonal imbalances\u2019 that comes with it.<\/p>\n Hamid says that most of the time this is \u2018nothing to worry about and will naturally clear up,\u2019 but adds that it can potentially be a sign of something more serious.<\/p>\n If frequent urination continues, issues such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, excessive caffeine consumption or \u2013 in rare cases \u2013 bladder cancer could be to blame.<\/p>\n \t\t Hamid says it\u2019s normal for most adults to pee 5-8 times during the day and \u2018once at night depending on their circumstances.\u2019<\/p>\n However, he adds that \u2018women tend to urinate more frequently than men,\u2019 citing one study which found women average 5.6 times per day, while the figure for men sat at 4.8.<\/p>\n \u2018For women, pregnancy can be a trigger, as the pressure effect of the baby on the uterus can cause increased frequency of urination and nocturia (nighttime urination),\u2019 explains Hamid. \u2018Urinary tract infections are also very common in women and can lead to increased urinary frequency.\u2019<\/p>\n Adults aged 60+: Up to 10 times a day<\/p>\n As we age, we may find it harder to hold on, as kidney function starts to decline and bladder muscles become weaker. <\/p>\n According to the NHS, nocturia is also more common, and elderly people \u2018may be getting up twice a night\u2019 to use the loo as a result of reduced antidiuretic hormone (ADH) regulating the amount of water in the body.<\/p>\n Additionally, Hamid says \u2018older adults are more likely to be on a form of medication called diuretics for various medical conditions\u2019, and this can make for more frequent toilet trips throughout the day at night.<\/p>\n He adds: \u2018For men, as they get older the prostate gland increases in size. This puts a pressure effect on the bladder and can increase the number of times a man urinates.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tRed flag symptoms to look out for\t\t\t<\/p>\n Hamed recommends seeking medical advice if you experience any of the following symptoms:<\/p>\n Blood in the urine He adds that cigarette smokers should be extra vigilant of a change in pattern, as this group is at \u2018increased risk of bladder cancer\u2019.<\/p>\n A version of this article was published in May 15, 2025 and has since been updated.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Toilet](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2208459174.jpg\")
\n\t\tAge is a major contributing factor (Picture: Getty Images)
\nAdults under 60: 6 to 9 times a day<\/p>\n
\nAny change to your usual habit
\nWaking up to pee more than once each night<\/p>\n
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