Do you really pee more in winter, or does it just feel like it?

Image: “Seriously, I need to go AGAIN?” (via HBO)

During the cold months, the general aim is stick to places and situations you know will be warm and comfortable and safe from the bone-chilling elements. Like the lounge room. Or even better, your bed.

Why, then, do you always seem to find yourself perched on the toilet seat during winter, trying not to let your bare, vulnerable toes touch the freezing tiles?

RELATED: If you need to urinate more than twice a night, you could have this condition.

Somewhat cruelly, it often feels as though cold temperature has the ability to flick a switch inside your bladder, causing more toilet dashes than you’d usually experience.

According to Dr Piraveen Pirakalathanan, Health& Principal Medical Officer, there is some anecdotal evidence that this phenomenon is true, and it has a medical term: cold diuresis.

Although there's been no conclusive evidence that it occurs, there are a few theories as to what might cause it.

"The dominant theory is that the cold causes blood vessels in the skin to constrict, pushing the blood towards the heart and the important organs in the body, and one of those organs is the kidneys," Dr Pirakalathanan explains.

RELATED: Can you actually catch diseases and STIs from your toilet seat?

"So the more blood that gets sent to the kidneys, the more urine is produced. The urine then gets stored in the bladder, and it's basically wasted heat that sits in the bladder so the body stimulates the bladder to urinate."

Researchers have also examined the science behind the phenomenon on a chemical level, although are yet to reach a conclusion. (Post continues after gallery.)

"They've looked at the chemicals that normally control urination, and found the chemicals actually do not change at all when exposed to the cold. That theory is not true, so there must be some alternative pathway that we're yet to find out that causes cold diuresis," Dr Pirakalathanan says.

At this stage you might be wondering whether fluid intake has something to do with it. In winter, we tend to throw back a lot of teas and coffees (and possibly alcoholic beverages) in an effort to stay warm. Dr Pirakalathanan says while this could be a component — alcohol and substances containing caffeine are known to have a diuretic effect on the body — the existing theory about blood flow to the kidneys is a more likely explanation when it comes to cold exposure.

RELATED: 4 very good reasons to have another cup of coffee today.

If you want to avoid dashing to the toilet when you're out and about in the cold, there are a couple of ways to reduce the chance of this happening.

"If people have time in advance they can go to the toilet well before they go outside, but that's not always possible," Dr Pirakalathanan says. Otherwise, try to avoid drinking too much alcohol and caffeine-based beverages. (Post continues after video.)

Generally speaking, there are no guidelines or specific markers of how frequently you should be urinating throughout the day. This can vary dramatically from one person to the next, influenced by factors like the amount of fluid they drink, their age, and any underlying medical conditions.

"However, if a person has noticed an increase above what they normally used to do — say, compared to the previous year — that is sufficient change to warrant maybe a discussion with their doctor to see if there's an underlying condition causing it," Dr Pirakalathanan says.

RELATED: 5 clever ways to avoid a dreaded urinary tract infection

It's also important to be wary of any changes in the colour of urine, especially the presence of blood, and any pain you experience. If this sounds familiar, have a chat to your doctor.

Over to you - have you ever wondered if you pee more in winter?

Thanks to Health& for their assistance with this story - visit healthand.com for reliable, evidence-based online health information.