Patients coming to pelvic health physical therapy often have abnormalities with the bladder or bowel habits. And often, if these habits have been around for a while, it is difficult for someone to know what is normal. So what is a ‘normal’ bladder like?

Frequency

-Voids aka peeing, should occur 5-8 times in 24 hours. That equates to voiding every 3-4 hours during the day

-Nighttime voiding should occur 0-1x per night, or 1-2x per night for those over 60 years old

Amount

-The average amount voided is about 200-250ml or 6-8 ounces

-Post-residual volume, aka the amount left in your bladder after a void should not exceed 50ml

Urges

-Maximum bladder capacity is 450-550ml or about 15-19 ounces

-The first sensation of fullness occurs at 100-250ml or about 3-8 ounces

-The typical desire to void occurs at 200-300ml or 6-10 ounces

-A strong urge to void occurs at 350-550ml or 11-18 ounces

Quality

-There should be no hesitation or difficulty initiating a stream

-A void should take about 8-12 seconds (increased age in men can lead to a natural slowing of stream and thus increase time to void)

Medications and medical diagnoses can sometimes lead to deviations from these norms. However, sometimes deviations from these norms can indicate a musculoskeletal or neuromuscular dysfunction at the pelvic floor. Seeing a pelvic health physical therapist can help return you back to these ‘norms’.

Schedule an appointment today at our Boulder or Lafayette clinic!