MedlinePlus: Urine and Urination

MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You

Other Health Topics:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
XYZ
List of All Topics

Related Topics
Go Local
- Services and providers for Urine and Urination in the U.S.
- Select from map
National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Urine and Urination is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Urine and Urination

Your kidneys form urine by filtering wastes and extra water from the bloodstream. The waste is called urea. It is carried in the bloodstream to the kidneys. From the kidneys, urine travels down two thin tubes called ureters to the bladder. The bladder stores urine until you are ready to go to the bathroom. It swells into a round shape when it is full and gets smaller when empty. If your urinary system is healthy, your bladder can hold up to 16 ounces (2 cups) of urine comfortably for 2 to 5 hours.

You may have problems with urination if you have

Kidney failure
Urinary tract infections
Prostate enlargement
Bladder control problems like incontinence or interstitial cystitis
A blockage that prevents you from emptying your bladder

Some conditions may also cause you to have blood or protein to be in your urine. If you have a urinary problem, see your healthcare provider. Treatment depends on the cause.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

Your Urinary System and How It Works(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Basics	Learn More	Multimedia & Cool Tools
Overviews Latest News Diagnosis/Symptoms Treatment	Specific Conditions Related Issues	Health Check Tools
Research	Reference Shelf	For You
Clinical Trials Journal Articles	Medical Encyclopedia Dictionaries/Glossaries Directories Organizations	Children Men Women

Overviews
- Urination Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Urine Color(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Latest News
- Nighttime Urination Linked to Higher Death Rate Among Elderly(05/01/2009, HealthDay)
Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Collection of a 24-Hour Urine Specimen(UpToDate)
- Dysuria (Painful Urination)(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School)
- Fainting during Urination (Micturition Syncope): What Causes It?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Foamy Urine: What Does It Mean?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Microalbumin Test(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Urinalysis(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Urine Culture(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Urine Cytology Test: What Does It Tell My Doctor?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Urine Metanephrines(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Urine Protein and Urine Protein to Creatinine Ratio(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Urodynamic Testing(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Uroflowmetry(American Urological Association)
Treatment
- Urinary Diversion(American Urological Association)
- Urostomy and Continent Urinary Diversion(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Return to top
Specific Conditions
- Blood in Urine (Hematuria)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Microscopic Hematuria(American Academy of Family Physicians)
  Also available in Spanish
- Proteinuria(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Urinary Retention(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Urine Odor(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Return to top
Related Issues
- Urinary Catheterization(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School)
Return to top
Health Check Tools
- Frequent Urination(DSHI Systems)
- Pain During Urination(DSHI Systems)
- Urine Color Change(DSHI Systems)
Return to top
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Dysuria(National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Proteinuria(National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Urination(National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Urination Disorders(National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Urine(National Institutes of Health)
Return to top
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Return to top
Medical Encyclopedia
- Urine and Urination
Return to top
Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Urologic Diseases Dictionary(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Return to top
Directories
- Find a Urologist(American Urological Association)
Return to top
Organizations
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Return to top
Children
- Newborns: Bowel Movements and Urination(American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Urine Blockage in Newborns(National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse)
- Urine Specimens: Tips to Help Children(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Urine Test: Dipstick(Nemours Foundation)
- Urine Tests(Nemours Foundation)
- Vesicoureteral Reflux(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Return to top
Men
- Urinary Dysfunction(Prostate Cancer Foundation)
Return to top
Women
- Urine Screen for Sugar and/or Protein(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Return to top

Other Health Topics:

Related Topics

Go Local

National Institutes of Health