Desperate for the loo? What happens if you hold in urine for a long time?

Needing to pee when there’s no toilet around can be uncomfortable and frustrating.

The average bladder can hold almost half a litre of urine.

Every person can last varying amounts of time before they need to empty their bladder.

But, holding in your urine for long periods of time can increase your risk of urinary tract infections (UTI).

“In certain circumstances, holding urine for any length of time can be dangerous,” said medical website Healthline.

“UTIs occur when bacteria make their way into the urinary tract.

“If you don’t empty your bladder on a regular basis, the bacteria are more likely to sit and multiply in the bladder.

“This can lead to a UTI.”

Holding in your urine for a long time weakens the muscles in your bladder.

Continued weakening of the muscles could lead to urinary retention.

Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder completely.

As well as causing pain and discomfort, the condition can be life-threatening.

Most UTIs can be treated with antibiotics, according to the NHS.

UTI symptoms include needing to pee suddenly, or having a burning sensation when urinating.

Finding blood in your urine, or having a pain in your lower stomach could also be signs of a UTI.

You should see a GP straight away if you also have a pain in your sides, a high fever, or diarrhoea.