Sitting down on the toilet and relaxing. Reading something while you’re waiting to urinate. Turning the faucet or shower on. Relaxing your pelvic floor.

While urinating, squeeze the muscles that stop your flow midstream – those are the muscles you want to isolate. You can do the exercise in any position. Tighten those muscles, hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat this several times in a row. Gradually work up to holding the contraction for 10 seconds, then resting for 10 seconds. Try to do three sets of ten repetitions every day. Don’t squeeze other muscles like your abs, legs, or butt. Focus on flexing only your pelvic floor muscles.

If you do have to push or strain when you urinate in order to fully empty your bladder, see your doctor. If you’re male, this is a symptom of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), a benign condition that causes an enlarged prostate. While not dangerous, it does require treatment.

You can still take loratadine (Claritin) if you’re feeling stuffy or your allergies are bothering you.

Aim to avoid drinking more than 1-2 drinks a night. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which means it makes you urinate more often.

Drink water whenever you’re thirsty and stop whenever you aren’t thirsty. Trust your body’s signals when it comes to staying hydrated.

Generally speaking, anything that can upset your stomach or cause heartburn is capable of irritating your kidneys, and therefore your bladder.

You can take a warm bath to relax your muscles and stimulate urine flow if you prefer. [10] X Expert Source Robert Dhir, MDBoard Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon Expert Interview. 12 October 2020.

If you’re dealing with a minor injury and you haven’t seen a doctor, go get a checkup.

If you have a family history of prostate issues, you should start getting prostate exams at 45.

Your doctor may also prescribe an alpha-reductase inhibitor (a type of anti-androgen) like finasteride (Proscar) or dutasteride (Avodart) for larger prostates.

If this is dramatically impacting your daily life, you’re in pain, or you have any other symptoms associated with your urination and you haven’t seen a doctor yet, make an appointment.