Why Does Diabetes Cause Frequent Urination?

Going to the bathroom more than usual can be a symptom of untreated or unstable diabetes.

Written by Sophia Keller | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Published on June 27, 2023

---

Diabetes is a condition that impacts the body’s ability to create and process insulin. When a person with diabetes has high blood sugar, it forces the kidneys to work overtime to try and eliminate all the sugar from your bloodstream. This is what triggers frequent urination. 

High blood sugar can damage your bladder and kidneys, leading to UTIs and other infections, so staying on top of it is crucial for your health.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Diabetes and kidney disease stages 1-4.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

Promotional Disclosureinfo_outlined

SPECIAL OFFER

Save on popular GLP-1 Agonists

Take control of your health. With GoodRx, you may be eligible to save even more on popular treatments.

Get Savings