How to Stop Bed Wetting in Adults

It's not just babies and toddlers who wet the bed. Nighttime incontinence in adults is actually far more common than you may think, with some studies citing that 2% of adults deal with this problem.

However, many adults find this condition very embarrassing and struggle to talk about it, even with their general practitioner (GP). While urinary incontinence can have a negative impact on your life, there are plenty of ways to manage and treat this condition. It is always best to seek advice from your GP if you have any concerns about your health as they can provide you with personalised medical advice.

In this article, we'll explore some of the most effective methods to stop bedwetting, including lifestyle changes, surgical treatment, and the potential role for bladder support supplements. We'll also have a look at some of the potential causes and answer your frequently asked questions on the topic.

A Closer Look at Nocturnal Enuresis

Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis or nighttime incontinence, is most common in adults over 50, but people of all ages can experience it. The condition involves passing urine when asleep without intending to.

There are two main types of nocturnal enuresis, including:

1. Primary nocturnal enuresis: People who experience primary nocturnal enuresis have wet the bed since they were a baby.

2. Secondary nocturnal enuresis: People who experience secondary nocturnal enuresis develop nighttime incontinence later in life, usually anytime after seven years old.

While most people who suffer from nocturnal enuresis will also experience urine leaks during the day, this is not always the case.

Wetting the bed as a once-off incident shouldn't be cause for concern; however, it may become a problem if it begins happening on a more regular basis.

8 Causes of Adult Bed-Wetting

The causes of nocturnal enuresis can be quite complex, but it is usually linked to bladder issues. Sometimes, there are a few different reasons behind nocturnal enuresis, and they will differ from person to person. However, some of the most common causes include:

1. Overactive bladder

You may have an overactive bladder if you need to pee more than several times a day. You may also feel an intense urgency to pee out of nowhere or if you are experiencing anxiety. An overactive bladder often leads to different types of urinary incontinence, including nighttime incontinence.

2. Hormonal Imbalance (ADH levels)

ADH is the hormone responsible for telling your kidneys to make less urine at night. If you have inappropriately low ADH at night, your kidneys may make too much urine, which could result in adult bedwetting. Diabetes insipidus (a rare condition where you often feel thirsty and pee frequently) is a condition where the body produces too little ADH or the kidneys don’t respond to it properly.

3. Certain prescription medications

Medications like diuretics and sleeping tablets/ sedatives may increase the risk of bedwetting. Discuss alternatives or adjust dosage with your healthcare provider if necessary.

4. Urinary tract infection and urinary tract stones

Urinary issues like urinary tract infections and urinary tract stones can affect your bladder retention and cause frequent urination. Additionally, both of these conditions can be exceptionally painful, so it's important that you treat them as soon as possible.

5. Bladder cancer

Although a less common cause, it is important to note that bladder cancer can lead to nighttime incontinence. Sometimes. bladder cancer can affect your body's ability to store and release urine because of the tumours created by the disease. The medications used to treat bladder cancer may also irritate the bladder and cause nocturnal enuresis. If you experience nighttime incontinence with blood in the urine or pain then you must seek medical advice.

6. Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that results in interrupted breathing while you are asleep but it has also been shown to cause elevated atrial natriuretic peptide which causes increased urine production. Multiple studies have shown links between sleep apnea symptoms and nocturnal enuresis, so addressing your sleep apnea may help minimise your bedwetting.

7. Genetics

If you have a parent who experienced adult bedwetting, some studies state you have a 40% chance of experiencing the same thing. Some people are simply predisposed to nocturnal enuresis because of their genetic makeup.

8. Neurological disorders

Studies show that neurological disorders, like multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, and Parkinson's disease, are often linked to bedwetting. These disorders impair bladder control due to mixed signals from the brain.

How to Stop Wetting the Bed

If you experience adult bedwetting, you are probably highly motivated to find a way to treat and manage your nocturnal enuresis as soon as possible. Before you try any of the tips below it is essential you see a doctor for a medical evaluation as you need to know if the symptom is related to any of the conditions mentioned above. However, if your doctor rules out serious causes and conditions behind this symptom then there are plenty of ways to stop wetting the bed, including:

Manage your fluid intake before bedtime

If you're lucky, you can stop wetting the bed by simply reducing your fluid intake before bedtime. Try to drink more liquids in the morning (when you can easily use the bathroom) and slow your intake towards the afternoon and evening.

Set yourself fluid-intake limits and try to avoid drinking anything for a few hours before going to bed.

Try bladder retention training

You can train and strengthen your bladder by going to the bathroom at set times during the day and night. As your bladder gets stronger, you will be able to increase the intervals between bathroom breaks.

You can also try performing pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding your bladder. Improved bladder control may result in fewer bedwetting incidents.

Both pelvic floor exercises and bladder retraining are best done under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure the treatment is personalised and suitable for your unique needs.

Avoid bladder irritants

Certain food and drinks can irritate your bladder and increase the risk of you leaking urine during the day and wetting your bed at night.

Some of the most common bladder irritants include:

• Tea

• Coffee

• Cigarettes

• Alcohol

• Spicy food

By avoiding or reducing these items, you will likely experience fewer bedwetting incidents.

Treat underlying medical conditions

It's important to determine the root cause of your nocturnal enuresis. If it is caused by a medical condition like constipation, diabetes, a UTI, or sleep apnea, treating your underlying medical issue should help you minimise your nighttime incontinence symptoms.

If treating your condition doesn't help, you may need to look at alternative options.

Take bladder support supplements

If you have seen your doctor and they have ruled out serious conditions causing your symptoms then you may be looking for a supplement to support your bladder health.

Bladder supplements, like the ones offered by Jude, are designed to support people with overactive bladder and incontinence. Filled with natural ingredients like soy phytoestrogen and pumpkin seeds the formulation aims to reduce the impact of incontinence. Before taking a bladder care supplement you should check with your doctor that it is suitable for you in the context of your medical history and symptoms.

Medication

Medications like desmopressin can reduce the production of urine at night by mimicking the effects of ADH. There are also other medications which your doctor can prescribe to help relax the bladder. Your doctor can help you find the medication which works best for you.

Sacral nerve stimulation

Sacral nerve stimulation involves stimulating the sacral nerve roots in your lower back, which are linked to bladder contractions.

Surgical treatment

If you're looking to totally eliminate nocturnal enuresis and none of the above options have worked for you, you may be a candidate for surgical treatment. Some of the most effective treatments include:

Bladder augmentation

This surgery involves having a piece of intestinal tissue attached to your bladder, which will increase bladder capacity.

Detrusor myectomy

The detrusor muscles are responsible for bladder contractions. Removing some of these muscles can help reduce unnecessary contractions and prevent bedwetting.

Pelvic organ prolapse repair

If your pelvic organs are in the wrong place and putting pressure on your bladder, you may need pelvic organ prolapse repair to reposition your organs and relieve your bladder pressure.

Sling procedures

Sling procedures lift the neck of your bladder by putting it in a sling to offer support and prevent urine leaks. Slings may be made from tissue from your own body, donated tissue, or even animal tissue.

3 Tips for Managing Bed Wetting

While you are still figuring out the best way to treat your nocturnal enuresis, you may want to implement a few management techniques to make things easier.

1. Wear leak-proof underwear and incontinence pads

Jude's leak-proof underwear is designed to hold up to eight teaspoons of urine and keep you dry throughout the night. Alternatively, you could also try our incontinence pads, which help absorb any leaks that you may experience.

2. Use a mattress protector

If you experience nocturnal enuresis, use a mattress protector to avoid urine from seeping into your bed. These protectors can easily be thrown in the washing machine and will save you from having to try to clean your mattress each time you wet the bed.

3. Use specialised lotions

If you regularly wet the bed, you may find that your skin is affected by the urine. Try to take a shower or a bath as soon as you wake up, and be sure to wash the area properly. You may also want to use specialised moisturising lotions to help soothe the skin.

FAQs

How is bed-wetting diagnosed?

If you experience nocturnal enuresis, you should see your general practitioner for a diagnosis. The doctor should explore all your symptoms and determine if there could be an underlying cause. Your GP may also ask you to keep an incontinence diary that details how often you wet the bed and how much urine was leaked. A urine analysis may be performed to help determine the cause.

How can I prevent adult bed wetting from ever occurring?

Because the causes of nocturnal enuresis are so complex, it may be difficult (or even impossible) to prevent adult bedwetting entirely. However, it's always a good idea to look after your general health by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise. The Jude Bladder Care Handbook is packed full of lifestyle tips such as avoiding bad bladder habits (like just in case pees) which can help prevent bladder issues later in life.

Are alcohol and adult bedwetting linked?

Many adults may have experienced a once-off bedwetting episode after a night out of heavy drinking. This is because alcohol is a bladder irritant. Additionally, drinking too much may cause you to 'pass out', in which case you may not wake up even if you need to pee.

How do I know if I need surgery for adult bedwetting?

If you have tried lifestyle changes and non-surgical options and have not gotten the results you were hoping for, you may need to look into surgery, under the guidance of your doctor.

However, you should always speak to a specialist about potential complications when it comes to surgery.

Final Thoughts

Despite taboos surrounding the topic, adult bedwetting is never something to be ashamed of. If you are experiencing symptoms of nocturnal enuresis, make an appointment with your general practitioner as soon as possible.

Here at Jude, we are passionate about breaking the stigmas surrounding adult bedwetting as well as related topics such as pelvic floor dysfunction and bladder instability. We do this by providing educational resources and creating specialised incontinence products, such as bladder support supplements and leak-proof underwear.

If you have bladder control issues, just know that you are not alone, as urinary incontinence affects around 50% of adult women. Thankfully, there are plenty of treatment and management options available that allow you to live a normal and happy life.

Jude’s clinically proven supplements give you better bladder and pelvic floor control, helping you sleep through the night and regain the freedom to live life on your own terms. With just one capsule morning and night, you'll have relief from need-to-go urgency in just 12 weeks.