Why Push Ups Make You Pee More (Explained)

Are push-ups making you feel more like a leaky faucet? If you’re constantly running to the restroom during your workout, you’re not alone.

Many people experience frequent urination during exercise, especially when doing activities like push-ups.

But why does this happen? Let’s dive into the science behind why push-ups can make you pee so much and what you can do to prevent it.

Let me help you understand some of the potential reasons why someone might experience the need to urinate frequently after performing push-ups. Here are five possible scenarios and the explanations below: increased blood flow, hormonal changes, dehydration, pre-workout drinks or supplements or weak pelvic floor muscles. 

Note that frequent urination during or after exercise can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as an overactive bladder or urinary tract infection. If you are experiencing persistent or concerning symptoms, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Increased blood flow

During exercise, your muscles require more oxygen and nutrients to fuel their activity.

To meet this demand, your body increases blood flow to your muscles, which can also increase blood flow to other organs, including your kidneys.

This increased blood flow to your kidneys can lead to an increase in the production of urine.

Your kidneys play a critical role in filtering waste products out of your blood and producing urine, which carries these waste products out of your body.

When blood flow to your kidneys increases, they are able to filter more blood and produce more urine.

As a result, you may experience an increased need to urinate during or after exercise.

It’s important to note that other factors, such as hydration status and the presence of diuretics in pre-workout drinks or supplements, can also affect urine production during exercise.

However, increased blood flow to the kidneys is one potential explanation for why someone might experience an increase in the need to urinate during or after exercise.

As the table shows, during low-intensity exercise, there is typically no significant change in urine production.

However, during moderate to high-intensity exercise or endurance exercise, there can be a significant increase in urine production due to increased blood flow to the muscles and kidneys. This increase in urine production can result in the need to urinate more frequently during and after exercise.

Hormonal changes.

During exercise, the body produces a variety of hormones, some of which can affect the function of the bladder and increase the need to urinate.

Adrenaline and cortisol, in particular, can increase bladder activity and the production of urine.

Adrenaline is produced in response to stress or exercise and can stimulate bladder contractions, while cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland that can increase urinary frequency and urgency.

As shown in the table, increased levels of adrenaline can cause the bladder to contract more frequently, leading to the urge to urinate.

Cortisol, on the other hand, can increase urine production and affect bladder muscle control, leading to possible urine leakage during exercise.

These hormonal changes can vary depending on the type and intensity of exercise, as well as individual factors such as age and gender.

It’s important to be aware of these potential effects and take steps to manage them, such as using the restroom before and after exercise and practicing pelvic floor exercises to improve bladder control.

Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in.

Not drinking enough water before and during exercise can increase the risk of dehydration, especially when engaging in intense or prolonged physical activity.

When the body is dehydrated, it tries to conserve water by producing less urine.

This is because the kidneys hold onto water in an effort to maintain blood volume and prevent dehydration. However, when you rehydrate after exercise, your body may produce more urine than usual, as it tries to eliminate excess fluid and maintain the proper balance of fluids in the body.

This can lead to frequent urination, as the body tries to eliminate the excess fluid.

It’s important to note that staying hydrated before, during, and after exercise can help prevent dehydration and reduce the risk of frequent urination.

Drinking water and other fluids can help replace fluids lost during exercise and maintain proper hydration levels in the body.

As shown in the table, dehydration can lead to decreased urine production, while rehydration after exercise can lead to increased urine production.

It’s important to stay hydrated before, during, and after exercise to maintain proper bodily functions and prevent dehydration-related complications. Drinking water or other hydrating fluids regularly can help prevent dehydration and frequent urination during exercise.

Pre-workout drinks or supplements

Some pre-workout drinks or supplements contain diuretics, which are substances that increase urine production by promoting the excretion of water and electrolytes from the body.

Diuretics can be included in pre-workout supplements to help users lose weight, reduce bloating, or improve muscle definition.

However, the use of diuretics can also lead to frequent urination, as the body tries to eliminate excess fluids. Diuretics can also lead to dehydration if not taken with enough water, which can further exacerbate the need to urinate.

It’s important to be aware of the ingredients in pre-workout drinks and supplements, and to consult with a healthcare professional before using them.

Drinking enough water and staying hydrated can also help prevent dehydration and reduce the risk of frequent urination while using pre-workout drinks or supplements containing diuretics.

As shown in the table, certain pre-workout drinks or supplements may contain diuretic ingredients that can increase urine production and lead to frequent urination.

Caffeine and green tea extract have a mild diuretic effect and may cause possible frequent urination.

However, dandelion root extract and horsetail extract have a strong diuretic effect and are likely to cause frequent urination.

It’s important to be aware of the ingredients in pre-workout drinks or supplements and how they may affect your body, including your bladder and urinary system.

Weak pelvic floor muscles

The pelvic floor muscles play an important role in supporting the bladder and urethra, as well as controlling the flow of urine.

When these muscles are weak, they may not be able to adequately support the bladder and urethra during physical activity, leading to urine leakage or the need to urinate frequently.

Performing push-ups, or any exercise that involves contracting the abdominal muscles, can place additional pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, exacerbating the problem.

This can be especially true for women who have given birth, as pregnancy and childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor muscles.

Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles through targeted exercises, such as Kegels, can help improve bladder control and reduce the risk of urine leakage or frequent urination during exercise.

Additionally, using support devices such as incontinence pads or briefs can provide protection and give individuals the confidence to continue exercising without worry.

As shown in the table, weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to an increased risk of urine leakage or frequent urination during exercise, particularly during activities that place pressure on these muscles such as push-ups.

Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles through exercises such as Kegels can improve bladder control and reduce the risk of urine leakage or frequent urination during exercise. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider if you experience bladder control issues during exercise, as they can provide guidance on exercises and other treatments to help manage the issue.

Here, I provide you with some possible reasons why push-ups or other exercises may cause frequent urination:

Note: 

Note that frequent urination during exercise can also be a normal bodily response to increased physical activity.

However, if the frequency or urgency of urination is causing discomfort or interfering with daily activities, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment options.

 Conclusion

In conclusion, frequent urination during exercise can be a common occurrence, but it can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

If you’re experiencing this symptom, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment options.

Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles through exercises like Kegels may help prevent urine leakage during exercise, but it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if the symptoms persist or interfere with daily activities.

With the right strategies, you can continue to enjoy exercise and stay in control of your bladder.

Sources:

1. Mayoclinic