Tea can cause you to urinate frequently, especially if it contains caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, which causes your bladder to fill quickly. The sooner your bladder fills, the faster you have to urinate. Tea can also cause bladder irritation, which can make you urinate frequently. If you believe tea is causing you to urinate constantly, stop drinking it and talk to your physician.
Constant Urination
Constant urination is known as polyuria. Polyuria is urinating so frequently that you release more than 2.5 liters of urine each day. MedlinePlus states that polyuria is a fairly common symptom that’s primarily noticed by having to wake during the night to urinate. Several factors can cause polyuria such as diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, kidney failure, sickle cell anemia and drinking large amounts of fluids, especially if those fluids contain caffeine.
Tea
Tea causes you to urinate a lot because it’s a diuretic. This causes your bladder to fill rapidly, which causes multiple trips to the bathroom. Tea, whether it’s caffeinated or decaffeinated, can have the same effect on your bladder, according to MayoClinic.com. Since tea is a bladder irritant, it puts extra strain on your bladder. The frequency of urination can increase when you drink large amounts of tea, especially if it contains caffeine.
Caffeine
Caffeine stimulates your bladder, causing frequent urination. Consuming large amounts of caffeine can aggravate your bladder. You may become more prone to developing a urinary tract infection if your bladder and urinary tract are already inflamed and irritated; this makes it easier for bacteria to invade your urinary system and cause infection.
Considerations
Avoid tea if you suspect it is causing you to urinate constantly. Talk to your health care provider about other possible causes. You could have a more serious condition, such as overactive bladder, diabetes or kidney failure, that is causing you to urinate constantly. Stay away from other bladder irritants such as sugar, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, corn syrup and acidic fruits and fruit juices. Ask your doctor about bladder training exercises if you have an overactive bladder.
References
- WomensHealth.gov: Urinary Incontinence Fact Sheet; March 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Bladder Control Problems in Women: Lifestyle Strategies for Relief; Mayo Clinic Staff; July 2011
- MedlinePlus: Urination--Excessive Volume; Sept. 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Urinary Incontinence: Causes; Mayo Clinic Staff; June 2011
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