For many of us, one of the last steps before heading out the door is a quick trip to the toilet, just in case. It feels practical, like grabbing your keys or checking your phone battery. But a doctor is warning that turning this into a routine can actually work against your bladder over time. The habit often starts in childhood, when parents encourage a preventive bathroom visit to avoid awkward moments later.
Dr. Daria Sadovskaya, a specialist in immunology and nephrology, recently addressed the trend on TikTok and said we should not force ourselves to urinate when we do not truly need to. The reason is simple but easy to overlook. The bladder is not just a storage pouch, it is a muscle and nerve system that depends on timing and coordination. When you repeatedly empty it too early, you can start teaching your body to send the signal sooner than it should.
In a normal pattern, the bladder fills, the nervous system registers the volume, and only then does the genuine urge appear. At that point, the bladder and the pelvic floor muscles are meant to work together to release urine comfortably. If you keep going without that real urge, you may end up emptying at very small volumes. Over time, this can create a loop where you feel like you always need to go, even when your bladder has not filled much.
That does not mean you should ignore your body and hold it in for hours either. Sadovskaya stresses that there is a middle ground between forcing and postponing. Regularly delaying urination can make it harder to fully empty the bladder and may raise the risk of urinary tract infections. The goal is to respond to a genuine urge rather than to anxiety about being away from a bathroom.
@sadovskaya_doctor Going to the bathroom “just in case” before leaving may seem like a harmless habit. But for the bladder, it can actually be harmful. The bladder is a muscle–nerve organ. Normally, it fills up, the nervous system registers the volume, and only then does a real urge appear. At that moment, the bladder and the pelvic floor muscles work in coordination. When we regularly go to the toilet without a real urge, the bladder empties at too small a volume. Over time, the nervous system gets used to reacting earlier than it should. As a result, frequent urges may appear, a constant feeling of “I always need to go,” anxiety before traveling, and increased pelvic floor tension. Everyday habits directly affect pelvic floor health — either supporting recovery or contributing to problems. #healthawareness #healthtips #healthylifestyle ♬ original sound – Dr. Sadovskaya💊Health Guide
Bladder and Bowel UK shares similar guidance, noting that with good hydration most people typically need to go every two to three hours. They also caution against frequent preventive bathroom trips, because the bladder can adapt to holding less and less. That can lead to more frequent urges and a constant feeling of planning your day around toilets. It is a small shift that can quietly affect travel, commuting, and even social plans.
If you want to support healthier bladder habits, focus on steady hydration with water, diluted juices or syrups, and fruit or herbal teas. It can also help to limit alcohol, caffeinated drinks like coffee and energy drinks, and fizzy beverages if you notice they make you feel more urgent. Instead of a last minute just in case trip, try checking in with your body and going only when the need is real. Have you ever noticed this habit changing how often you need the bathroom, and what helped you reset it? Share your thoughts in the comments.
