Bladder size in healthy adults?

Question

I'm a young adult male in my 20s with no health problems except that I've always had to urinate often (usually between 10 and 15 times a day, depending on my liquid intake) and can't hold much at one time. When my bladder is REALLY full it takes me maybe 15-20 seconds to empty it completely, and that's after I've been holding it for a long time!

Until age 12 I wet the bed every single night, and was told that it was because my bladder was just too small for my age; at 12 I learned to wake up and use the bathroom when I had to during the night, and still do about once a night to this day. (Rarely I can sleep through a whole night without getting up to urinate, but on rare occasions I can also still wet my bed if I don't wake up in time.)

Is it possible that my bladder just never grew close to a normal adult size, like the docs always told me it would? Just wondering how this compares to "normal" adult bladder function... how much is a "normal" adult supposed to be able to hold?

Answer 1

I'm guessing about 600 ml. It may be less. Bear in mind that
a litre is 1,000 ml., over a quart.

I'm guessing from my own bladder problems since 2002, at 74. I had cancer and do not now have a bladder. I discharge about 800 to 1,000 ml in a night, but this is direct drainage from the kidneys into an outside pouch, no longer from a bladder.

A doctor can tell you your capacity, but that may entail a cat scan or MRI. idk.
Your problem may be an enlarged prostate. Very common with your symptoms. This is unusual at your age, but anything is possible. Have you had a prostate exam? Do so!

When you hold as much as you possibly can, you might use a bottle with measurements. It may help in diagnosis.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It's certainly possible. However, there are any number of treatable issues that may cause bed wetting. I suggest, now that you are an adult, to go to a urologist to find out about the latest advances in this area.

Good luck.