Why You Might Have Infrequent Urination (Oliguria)

Infrequent urination (oliguria) is urinating less than at least 400 milliliters (ml) per 24 hours or 20ml per hour. Peeing less than typical might be normal for you, depending on your other symptoms. In other cases, low urine output can be a sign of a narrow urinary tract, dehydration, or kidney problems.

Oliguria is common, especially in hospitalized people and those on long-term dialysis, or kidney failure treatment. Read on to learn about the possible causes of infrequent urination and if it's something to worry about.

How Much Do People Usually Pee?

People normally produce 800ml–2,00ml of urine per 24 hours. Urination typically occurs every three to four hours, but that number might be different for each person. For example, peeing three times per day may be normal for you.

You urinate as much as you need to because your body does a good job of regulating fluids. You are likely properly hydrated if your urine is a straw yellow color and you urinate more than once per day.

Of note: It's important to use the bathroom whenever you feel the need to urinate. Holding in urine for too long can stretch your bladder, weaken your urinary tract muscles, and increase your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Why You May Not Be Peeing Often 

Urinating as few as two times per day can be normal if you have light yellow pee. Signs of a kidney condition or UTI, however, might include abdomen and groin pain, an inability to urinate, and dark-colored urine.

1. Dehydration

You may be dehydrated if your urine is amber or dark orange. Your body tries to conserve water by using less in your pee, causing that dark color. Other dehydration symptoms include dry mouth and skin, dizziness, extreme thirst, and fatigue.

Drink more water to check if you are dehydrated. Contact a healthcare provider if you continue to have symptoms. Dehydration can be life-threatening in severe cases.

Seek emergency medical attention if you or a loved one have symptoms like:

• Feeling confused
• Fainting
• Low urine output
• Rapid breathing and heart rate
• Shock

2. Kidney Stones

These clumps of minerals like calcium, potassium, and sodium can reduce your urine output by blocking the flow. Kidney stones can become stuck in your ureters, or the tubes that carry urine from your kidney to your bladder. These clumps can also get stuck in tubes further down your urinary tract.

Consult a healthcare provider right away if you have kidney stone symptoms, such as:

• A frequent urge to pee
• Bloody urine
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Pain while urinating
• Sharp pain in your back, groin, lower abdomen, or side

3. Medications

Certain medications may cause oliguria, such as:

• Aminoglycoside antibiotics
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Medicines to prevent transplant rejection
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
• Radiocontrast media, which are liquids you drink or are injected with for scans

Other drugs can prevent your nerves from sending signals that allow your body to pee. These include antidepressants, antihistamines, opioids, and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Talk to a healthcare provider if you think your medicines are preventing you from peeing. Do not stop taking any medication before consulting them.

4. Narrow Urinary Tract

You might have infrequent urination if your urethra becomes blocked or inflamed and narrow. The urethra is the tube that carries urine outside of your body.

Some causes of a narrow urinary tract include:

• Bladder obstruction, including an enlarged prostate or urethral stricture
• Constipation
• Pelvic tumors
• Prostatitis, or prostate gland inflammation 
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• UTIs

Some of those health conditions might cause a frequent urge to urinate, abdominal pain, and pain while urinating. Contact a healthcare provider if you have any of those symptoms. They can diagnose and treat the cause of a narrow urinary tract.

5. Neurologic Conditions

Some neurologic conditions may cause neurogenic bladder, which occurs if something interferes with signals from your brain that tell your bladder to squeeze. Causes of neurogenic bladder include:

• Alzheimer's disease, a common type of dementia
• Diabetes
• Infections
• Multiple sclerosis (MS), a nervous system disorder that damages the cells of your brain and spinal cord
• Parkinson's disease, which is a disorder that impairs movement
• Pelvic and spinal cord injuries
• Tumors
• Vaginal births

6. Weak Bladder

Your bladder muscles might be too weak to push out your urine, which can also cause an accidental loss of urine and incontinence. Age, pregnancy, and injuries are common causes of a weak bladder. An over-filled bladder⁠ may also weaken it, so it's essential that you urinate whenever you feel the need to.

Treatment for a weak bladder includes:

• Diet and lifestyle changes
• Pelvic floor exercises
• Routine bladder training

Does Low Urine Output Mean Kidney Failure?

Oliguria is often an early sign of renal (kidney) problems. Low urine output does not always mean kidney failure and is a common sign of several health concerns, including a narrow urinary tract and dehydration.

Low urine output might mean kidney failure if you have other symptoms like:

• A lack of appetite
• Headaches
• Itchy skin
• Memory problems
• Muscle cramps and weakness
• Numbness
• Painful, stiff joints
• Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs
• Tiredness
• Trouble sleeping

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

Low urine output that lasts long periods might be life-threatening or a sign of a health condition that requires treatment. See a healthcare provider if you:

• Are vomiting and cannot keep liquids down
• Feel dizzy and lightheaded 
• Have a fast pulse, high fever, and diarrhea
• Have dark-colored urine
• Suddenly produce less urine than normal

A Quick Review

Infrequent urination might be a sign of a blockage in or inflammation of the urethra, kidney problems, neurologic conditions, or a weak bladder. Some people, in contrast, normally pee less than others. Low urine output may be normal for you if you are hydrated and urinate at least once per day.

Talk to a healthcare provider if you have other symptoms, such as a frequent urge to pee and pain while urinating. They can figure out what's causing infrequent urination and ways to treat it. Treatments may include diet or lifestyle changes, medication, and pelvic floor exercises.