Bladder problems can be difficult—and sometimes embarrassing—to talk about. People may say they “have to go,” “leak,” “had an accident,” or need to “use the restroom.” Healthcare professionals may use terms such as urinary urgency, incontinence, frequent urination, or nighttime urination.

A study of adolescent and adult women found that this difference in language can sometimes make it harder for patients and healthcare professionals to understand one another.

What Did the Researchers Study?

Researchers wanted to learn how women and girls describe bladder function and bladder symptoms in everyday life.

They conducted 44 focus groups involving 360 adolescents and adult women from seven research centers across the United States. Participants ranged in age from 11 to over 65 and represented different racial, ethnic, geographic, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Some participants had bladder symptoms, while others did not.

There Is No Single “Right” Way to Talk About Urination

Participants used many different expressions, including:

  • “Pee” or “gotta go”
  • “Use the restroom”
  • “Urinate” or “void”
  • “Leak” or “have an accident”
  • Cultural, family, or regional expressions

“Pee” was the most commonly used everyday word. More clinical terms, such as “urinate,” were recognized but were used less often. Many participants had trouble naming bladder sensations and instead described feelings such as pressure, tingling, cramping, discomfort, or a sudden need to find a bathroom.

The words people used also depended on the situation. Someone might say “I have to pee” around close friends but “I need to use the restroom” at school or work. Age, family habits, culture, social setting, and past experiences all affected how people talked about their bladders.

Humor Can Make Symptoms Easier to Discuss—but May Also Minimize Them

Many participants talked about bladder leakage, nighttime urination, and other symptoms through jokes, stories, or euphemisms. This may make an uncomfortable subject feel less embarrassing.

However, describing leakage as an “accident” or treating frequent bathroom trips as a normal nuisance may also make a health concern seem less important. Some participants viewed medical terms as appropriate only for severe or constant problems—not for occasional symptoms. As a result, a person may not realize that their symptoms are worth mentioning to a healthcare professional.

Your Own Words Are Useful

You do not need to know the correct medical term before discussing a bladder concern. Describe what you are experiencing in the words that feel most natural to you.

Helpful details may include:

  • What the sensation feels like
  • How often it happens
  • Whether you leak urine
  • What activities or situations bring it on
  • Whether you wake during the night to urinate
  • How it affects sleep, exercise, work, school, travel, or social activities

For example, saying, “I suddenly feel a lot of pressure and sometimes cannot reach the bathroom in time,” may give your healthcare professional more useful information than trying to choose the perfect medical label.

Better Conversations Can Lead to Better Understanding

The study found that patients and healthcare professionals may use the same word but understand it differently. The researchers recommend using clear, familiar, nonjudgmental language and giving patients time to tell the full story of their symptoms. Medical terms should be explained rather than assumed to be understood.

Bladder symptoms are personal, but they should not have to remain secret. Talking openly with a healthcare professional can help clarify what is happening and whether further evaluation is appropriate.

What Should Patients Remember?

There is no need to feel embarrassed or to have the “right” vocabulary. Words such as “leaking,” “pressure,” “having to rush,” or “getting up several times at night” are meaningful descriptions.

Most importantly, do not dismiss a bladder change simply because family members or friends describe it as an unavoidable part of life. Tell your healthcare professional what you notice and how it affects you.

About the Study

This was a qualitative study designed to explore people’s experiences and language rather than test a treatment or determine how common particular symptoms are. Its findings may not represent every patient. The study focused on U.S. adolescents and adults assigned female at birth, excluded pregnant participants, and did not examine how men describe bladder health.

This information is intended for general education and should not replace an evaluation or advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: Williams, B.R., Nodora, J., Newman, D.K., Low, L.K., James, A., Camenga, D.R., Hebert-Bernie, J., Brady, S.S., Hardacker, C.T., Smith, A.L., Cunningham, S.D., Burgio, K.L.; Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium. (2020) “I never knew anyone who peed on themselves on purpose:” Exploring adolescent and adult women’s lay language and discourse about bladder health and function. Neurourol Urodyn. Jan;39(1):225-236.