Listen to your bladder and don’t postpone going, say experts. Holding your urine for hours when you clearly have to pee can cause infections in the bladder and urinary tract as well as potentially other more dangerous consequences.

Once the bladder is half full, your brain signals that it’s time to urinate. Regularly ignoring the signals can increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) because bacteria in the urine travels up the urinary tract instead of being released in a timely manner, according to CNN,.

Retaining urine may create a breeding ground for bacteria, explains Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, an Orlando-based urologist. Women, especially, are encouraged to pee after having sex so that the friction from sexual activity doesn’t push bacteria into the urethra. If the infection goes unnoticed or untreated, bacteria can multiply and infect the bloodstream resulting in a very serious condition known as sepsis.

Holding your urine can also weaken bladder muscles, which makes it difficult to empty the bladder completely, leading to an increased risk of infections. There are various medical interventions, such as a bladder pacemaker, to help restore the elasticity of bladder muscles.

The worst-case scenario that could occur by holding in your pee is that you can develop kidney infections, kidney damage or a serious condition called hydronephrosis, where your kidneys swell and stretch from the buildup.

The best advice is to empty your bladder when your body sends you the signal to pee, say experts. Holding your urine a few times a week won’t likely cause harm but if you constantly ignore your urge to pee for weeks at a time, you’re straining your bladder and kidneys. This is especially true for people who have challenges fighting infections or are older and have a reduced capacity to urinate normally. Men may encounter difficulty because of an enlarged prostate and women experience tightening urethras due to age.

People who are pregnant should also honor the urge to pee because of their increased risk of UTIs due to the added pressure of their uterus on the bladder, which inhibits it from emptying completely. On the flip side, if you find you need the toilet more often, you may suffer from overactive bladder, a UTI, or diabetes. Seeing a urologist can help solve the problem. Brahmbhatt adds that if you are leery about using public toilets, carry disinfecting wipes with you.