What are some common bladder irritants? | HER Body PT 

6/5/25

If you are someone who experiences a frequent urge to pee, bladder pain, pressure or even leakage, your bladder might be getting bothered by the things you consume!

Certain foods and beverages act as bladder irritants and can often trigger urinary urgency and frequency symptoms, especially in someone who may be extra sensitive to certain things.  Common culprits include:

• Coffee

• Carbonated drinks

• Alcohol

• Acidic fruits

• Fruit juices

• Spicy foods

• Chocolate 

• Artificial sweeteners

Usually, most people do not have to eliminate all these things from their diet, but it may be necessary to scale back, or cut one out completely if you have identified it is a strong trigger for you.  Replacement options are plentiful, so do a little digging around, get creative and try to find some good alternative options that suite you.  

These urinary symptoms can also often be a sign of pelvic floor muscle tension and can be treated with the assistance of a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor health.