The exact amount of time it should take to pee – and when it signals a serious health problem

Scottish Sun

08-07-2025

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ALTHOUGH it's often a hush-hush topic, going to pee is something we all need to do.
After all, what we guzzle down, must come out.
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Spending too much, or too little, time peeing can be a sign of underlying health conditions
Credit: Getty
But the stream doesn't always run so smoothly down there and knowing what's normal and what's not, can help you work out when there is an issues.
It turns out spending too much time, or too little can be dangerous and a sign of hidden underlying health conditions, experts have warned.
It should only take you an around 21 seconds to completely empty your bladder, according to US researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
And if you're spending much longer peeing, you could be holding in urine for too long, which can lead to your bladder expanding too much.
This is because the average bladder holds between 400ml and 600ml, roughly one pint, and people typically need to pass urine four to eight times a day.
However, experts have warned that waiting until you're bursting before going to the loo puts you at a higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can lead to life-threatening kidney infections.
On the other hand, frequent short visits to the toilet may point to an overactive bladder, where the body feels an urgent need to urinate even when it is not full.
The 21-second rule, which researchers described as the 'Law of Urination,' applies to all mammals weighing over 3kg.
The scientists behind the finding received an IG Nobel Prize in 2015, a satirical award that honours unusual or humorous scientific achievements, after analysing footage of various animals peeing.
But the health risks of ignoring the urge to go are anything but amusing.
I haven't peed in SIX YEARS and never will again - I live in constant agony and it could kill me
Chris Blick, a consultant urological surgeon at the Princess Grace Hospital, said: "Generally speaking you shouldn't force yourself to wait until you are desperate to urinate.
"Occasionally, this technique may be used as part of bladder retraining to support patients with overactive bladders."
He told MailOnline: "Holding on too much can be painful and, if you have a urine infection, can make you feel unwell.
"If you regularly hold in your urine, over time this can cause your bladder to stretch."
Peeing too often, he said, will "potentially train your bladder to empty when it doesn't need to, and can create a habit leading to unwanted frequency of urination."