What is the urinary system?

Your urinary system is made up of your:

• kidneys — which filter your blood to make urine
• ureters — the tubes connecting your kidneys to your bladder
• bladder — which stores urine (wee) until you empty it by urinating (doing a wee)
• urethra — which is the narrow tube that lets urine leave your body

Your urinary system stops waste and toxins from building up in your blood. Your kidneys also:

• control the levels of chemicals and salts in your blood
• keep the amounts of water in your body balanced
• help regulate your blood pressure
• help with vitamin D production
• help make red blood cells

What problems can affect the urinary system?

Urinary tract infections

Your urinary tract can become infected. Urinary tract infections (known as UTIs) are common. They are usually caused by bacteria that enter your body through your urethra.

Females are more likely to get UTIs than males.

UTIs can affect different parts of your urinary tract, including your:

• bladder (cystitis)
• kidneys (pyelonephritis)

UTIs can cause symptoms such as:

• burning or stinging when you urinate (wee)
• passing urine more often than normal
• urgently needing to wee
• pain in your abdomen (tummy) or back
• urine that is cloudy or smells unusual
• fever
• nausea and vomiting

See your doctor if you have symptoms of a UTI — you may need treatment with antibiotics.

Kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious condition that can affect your urinary system. CKD can be caused by different conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or polycystic kidney disease. CKD can lead to kidney failure, which can be life threatening. Some signs of CKD include:

• changes to how your urine looks – it may change colour or become frothy
• needing to wee in the middle of the night
• having blood in your urine (haematuria)

See your doctor straight away if you notice red blood in your urine or if your urine has turned pink, red or brown.

Kidney stones

You can get kidney stones when chemicals in your urine form crystals that clump together. Kidney stones can cause severe pain.

If you have a kidney stone, you may feel sharp pains in the side of your back, below your ribs. This pain may spread around to your front. You may have other symptoms, including:

• blood in your urine
• nausea
• vomiting
• a feeling of urgency to urinate

It's important to see your doctor if you think you might have a kidney stone.

Urinary retention

Urinary retention is being unable to empty your bladder properly. It may come on suddenly (acute urinary retention) or gradually over time.

Acute urinary retention is when you can't pass urine even though you need to and your bladder is full.

See your doctor immediately if your bladder feels full but you can't urinate at all. If your doctor is not available, go to the emergency department at the hospital.

With chronic (ongoing) urinary retention, you can urinate, but you can't completely empty your bladder. This can cause problems, so you should see your doctor for treatment.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is when you have trouble controlling your bladder. This can cause leaks and accidental loss of urine.

Prostate problems

In males, the urethra passes through the prostate. Because of this, prostate swelling or enlargement can affect the flow of urine.

Problems with urinary flow is one of the most common signs of prostate problems.

How can I look after my urinary system?

To help maintain a healthy urinary system:

• manage your blood sugar level
• manage your blood pressure
• avoid smoking and vaping
• eat a healthy diet and keep physically active
• limit your alcohol intake
• drink plenty of water each day — unless you have a medical condition which means this is not possible

Here are some tips to lower your chance of getting an infection:

• Empty your bladder completely when urinating. Urine that stays in the bladder too long can cause an infection.
• Urinate after sex to flush out bacteria that may have moved from your bowel or vagina to the urethra.
• If you are female, wipe from front to back after using the toilet. This lowers the chance of bacteria getting into your urethra.
• Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes. This will help keep the area around your urethra dry.
• Do pelvic floor exercises. This makes your pelvic floor muscles stronger which helps keep urine from leaking when you sneeze, cough, or have a full bladder.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if you have symptoms of problems with your urinary system.

Symptoms of bladder problems can include:

• trouble with bladder control or incontinence
• needing to pass urine frequently during the day or multiple times overnight
• having a weak or slow urine stream
• pain or burning when passing urine
• blood in your urine
• frequent urinary tract infections

Symptoms of kidney disease can include:

• changes in the amount of urine you pass
• changes in your urine — for example, frothy or discoloured urine
• blood in your urine
• pain in your abdomen or back
• swelling of your legs
• fatigue (tiredness)
• loss of appetite

Many people with kidney disease don't notice any symptoms until the late stages of the disease. You should have regular kidney checks if you are 60 years or older, have a family history of kidney problems, have had heart problems or are living with obesity.

You should seek care urgently from your doctor, urgent care clinic or local emergency department if you have symptoms of an infection, like:

• a fever (high temperature above 38℃)
• a fast heart rate
• confusion
• trouble breathing
• severe drowsiness
• feeling confused (delirium) – especially if you are over 60 years old since this is a sign of a urinary tract infection in older people

Kidney health check

See your doctor for a kidney health check at least every 1 to 2 years if you're at risk of kidney disease.

You should have a kidney health check each year if you:

• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person older than 18 years

You should have a kidney health check every 2 years if you:

• smoke or used to smoke
• are very overweight or living with obesity
• have had a stroke or heart attack
• have heart failure
• have a family history of kidney problems
• have had an acute kidney injury
• are older than 60 years

A kidney health check involves 3 tests:

• a blood pressure check
• a blood test to check your kidney function
• a urine test

Resources and support

Continence Health Australia has information on continence and bladder health. You can call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66.

Kidney Health Australia has information about kidney health and conditions. You can call the Kidney Helpline on 1800 454 363.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.