How well do you know your own body? Understanding the urinary system can help you recognize and manage common health issues.

What is the Urinary Tract?

The urinary tract is responsible for producing, storing and eliminating urine. It includes:

• Upper urinary tract: the kidneys and ureters
• Lower urinary tract: the bladder and urethra

How It Works

• Kidneys (located at the back of the abdomen near the 12th and 13th ribs) filter waste and excess substances from the blood to form urine.
• Urine flows from each kidney down a ureter to the bladder, where it is stored.
• The bladder gradually fills with urine over 3–4 hours. As it fills, you begin to feel the need to urinate – this is known as the urge sensation.
• During urination, muscles around the urethra relax, and the bladder contracts to push urine out of the body.

Urinary Health in Men

• Semen is produced in the testicles and travels via two tubes (called the vas deferens) to the seminal vesicles, where it is stored.
• During ejaculation, the bladder neck closes, and semen flows down the urethra and out through the penis.
• The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder that surrounds the urethra and  produces fluid that forms part of semen.
• In men over 40, the prostate often enlarges (a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia), which can press on the urethra and cause:
  • difficulty starting urination,
  • incomplete bladder emptying,
  • frequent or urgent need to urinate.

Urinary Health in Women

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in women, partly because the female urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.
• Urinating shortly after sex may help reduce the risk of UTIs.
• After childbirth, around 1 in 3 women may experience stress incontinence – leaking small amounts of urine when coughing, sneezing or exercising – due to weakened pelvic floor muscles.
  • Pelvic floor exercises can strengthen these muscles and improve bladder control.
• Although rare, urinary flow obstruction in women may occur dur to:
  • scar tissue,
  • pelvic organ prolapse (from a dropped bladder or uterus),
  • muscles around the urethra not relaxing properly.

First published on embarrassingproblems.com
Reviewed and edited by Dr Diane K. Newman
Last updated: July 2025 by Dr Diane K. Newman