“Prolonged oestrogen deficiency can cause urogenital atrophy – meaning a wasting of the tissue in the reproductive and urinary organs. Imagine the lining of the bladder and urethra shrinking and weakening, which then compromises their ability to control urinary function. That can lead to you needing to go to the loo more frequently.”

With that thinning also comes a risk of infection. “If you are frequently getting cystitis and other UTIs, it might be a sign of low oestrogen. Unfortunately, these infections also make us need to pee even more,” adds Dunn.

Your period can impact urination

In healthy women, hormonal changes over the cycle may also change the frequency with which you need to pee. In a small 2001 study, 42% of women reported the most “bothersome” time for frequent urination was just before their period and 36% said it was worse during their bleed.

It’s probably not a coincidence that these are the times when oestrogen levels are naturally lower, according to researchers, who wrote that “this report provides further indirect evidence that the female lower urinary tract is sensitive to the effects of sex steroids” such as oestrogen.

Why do I pee all the time? How frequent urination could be a sign of hormonal imbalance