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
• maintain your body's water balance
• 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 stones

Kidney stones develop when chemicals in your urine form crystals that clump together. They can cause severe pain.

If you have a kidney stone, you may feel sharp pains in the side of your back below your ribs, which 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.

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.

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

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:

• 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.

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:

• problems with bladder control or incontinence
• needing to pass urine frequently during the day or multiple times overnight
• 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 in the early stages.

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 are at increased risk of kidney disease and should get checked once a year if you:

• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and are 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 obese
• 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:

1. a blood pressure check
2. a blood test to check your kidney function
3. a urine test

Resources and support

The Continence Foundation of 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 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.