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Medically reviewed by
Dr.Masarat
Written by
Team Jude
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9 Solutions for Managing Night Time Incontinence Effectively
Are you constantly waking up to find that you've leaked wee in your bed? Even when night-time leaks don't happen often, they can still be a total pain. But they don't have to be.
There are tons of women who experience night-time incontinence, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. Taking action is the first step to finding relief from this uncomfortable condition.
We can already hear you asking 'But how do I take action?' Luckily, that's where we come in. We've put together a handy guide with nine solutions to help you manage leaks that wake you from a peaceful sleep. Together, we'll help you have a comfortable, dry night - every night.
Behavioural And Lifestyle Changes
There are several small (and easy) changes you can make to your everyday routine to help you find relief from your night-time urine leaks. It only takes a little discipline, but if you put your mind to it, you can strengthen your bladder to avoid wetting the bed accidentally.
1. Watch your fluid intake
Firstly, you will want to watch how much you're drinking in the evenings. This especially applies to things like coffee, other caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and sugar-free drinks that contain artificial sweeteners. These drinks can actually irritate your bladder and make you pee more frequently and should be avoided in the evening if you have this issue
Try to find a good cut-off time for drinking fluids - ideally 1-2 hours before bedtime to reduce the risk of frequent night-time trips to the bathroom (also known as nocturia).
Remember that hydration is key, however, and if you are feeling dehydrated or thirsty, you should still drink water- no matter what the time. One way to prevent that need in the hours before bed is to ensure you drink plenty of water during the day before your cut-off time.
2. Stay away from bladder irritants
In addition to avoiding certain beverages before bed, try to stay away from specific foods that can irritate your bladder. Things like spicy foods and acidic fruits can make it harder to control your bladder while you sleep and make it more sensitive, especially when it's full. For this reason, it's best to avoid them if you want a better night's sleep.
3. Use bladder control techniques
There are several techniques you can use to strengthen your bladder muscles and improve your overall control. Although these techniques may require some determination, you can get your brain and bladder to work together. These techniques can also help with latchkey incontinence.
One of the best things you can do for your bladder muscles is to practise bladder training. This is where you increase the intervals between your trips to the bathroom. Just remember: Don't hold your pee for so long that you have an accident. Rather, hold it for as long as you comfortably can. Bladder training is best done under the supervision of a medical professional. You can be referred to a bladder and bowel service to then enter into a bladder retraining programme, which can give you added support and medical oversight.
You can also practise double-voiding, which means emptying your bladder twice before bedtime to make sure it's completely empty.
4. Practise your pelvic floor exercises
If you experience frequent urination or urinary incontinence (leaks) during the night, it may be because your pelvic floor muscles are slightly weaker than they used to be. This can occur as you age, but we understand it can be really uncomfortable.
To regain control over your bladder and strengthen the muscles, practise pelvic floor exercises like kegels. This will make both your bladder and urethra muscles much stronger.
Medical Treatment
If you're dealing with night-time incontinence and just can't get a good night's sleep no matter what, it’s time to head to the doctor. In fact, seeing a medical health professional is always a must if you have bladder troubles. A doctor will also help to diagnose your condition ensure you have no red flag symptoms, and help to exclude more serious conditions.
5. Prescribed medications
When lifestyle changes aren't enough to tackle your night-time leaks, prescribed medications can be a helpful next step.
Your doctor may prescribe medications that help manage or control your symptoms in a variety of ways. Some medications can help regulate the production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), for example, which tells your kidneys to produce less urine.
The type of medication you're prescribed will depend on the root cause of your incontinence and how severe the condition is. Fortunately, most medications can bring relief effectively, which means you can say goodbye to your wet sheets.
6. Surgical options
Sometimes, surgical intervention may be necessary to eliminate incontinence. For instance, you may be experiencing pelvic organ collapse, which means you'll need surgery to lift your bladder again.
These treatments aren't used very often, though, and are only necessary in severe cases.
Practical Solutions And Products
If your incontinence isn't happening regularly and is only a periodical problem, you can use certain products to help protect your sheets and keep you dry when leaks do happen.
Here at Jude, we get it. We know it can be embarrassing and more than a little uncomfortable to admit that you're experiencing leaks. Luckily, we have a range of products that can help bring relief and peace of mind so you can get a good night's sleep.
It's time to take control of your life (and your bladder) again.
7. Try out incontinence pads
Incontinence pads can be a total game-changer for night-time leaks. These pads are designed to absorb urine and keep you dry all night long. They come in different sizes and levels of absorbency, so you can easily find one to suit your needs.
We know what you're thinking: Pads can be so irritating. But don't worry. With all-natural incontinence pads, you don't have to worry about waking up to wet sheets again. These discreet, ultra-thin pads are designed for comfort. They're also super absorbent, making them perfect for medium leaks and gushes.
8. Take bladder supplements
Bladder supplements not only help reduce the chance of night-time leaks, but they can also help restore your bladder health over time. This is where the star of the show comes into play: Jude's Bladder Supplements.
Our supplements are natural and vegan-friendly, using only the highest-quality plant-based materials. They have been approved by doctors, meaning you're not spending money on a standard supplement that may cause side effects.
And the best part? They don't only help with night-time accidents. They'll help you to feel more confident all day, every day by reducing leaks by up to 67%. If you find yourself needing to get up to pee in the middle of the night? It can help with that, too, by reducing your nocturnal bathroom trips by up to 70%.
9. Wear leak-proof pants
Are pads not your thing? Then why not try out leak-proof pants instead?
There are tons of women who feel ashamed when they accidentally wet the bed. That's what inspired us to create Leak-Proof Pants.
These undies are super comfy and are made to absorb up to 8 teaspoons of urine. This means that worrying about night-time leaks is a thing of the past, and you can wake up feeling refreshed (and dry).
FAQs
What is the difference between nocturia and nocturnal enuresis?
While nocturia and nocturnal enuresis are both medical conditions that deal with night-time wees, there are some pretty big differences between them.
Nocturia is when you wake up multiple times throughout the night to run to the bathroom. Although this can usually disrupt your sleep, you'll typically be able to make it to the bathroom on time. This condition can be linked to other health conditions like diabetes or heart issues. But sometimes, it's simply because of drinking too much before you head to bed.
Nocturnal enuresis, on the other hand, is a complete involuntary release of pee while you sleep. It's also commonly known as adult bedwetting and is often linked to an overactive bladder. This means that the diagnosis and treatment plan for this condition differ from those for nocturia.
Is it possible to cure night-time incontinence completely?
Although some cases of night-time incontinence can be completely eradicated, this isn't true for everyone. Sometimes, only the symptoms can be treated, but the condition will need ongoing treatment. However, the success of any treatment for night-time incontinence depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying causes.
To better understand what you need to find relief, you'll need to speak to your doctor. They can guide you in finding the root of the problem and create a personalised treatment plan to help you sleep through the night.
Is it normal to experience occasional night-time incontinence as I age?
While night-time leaks are common, they are not normal, and you should not just accept them as part of your life. It's very common to have occasional night-time leaks as you get older. As you age, your bladder's muscles start to lose elasticity and strength, making it harder to control By considering them as normal you may not seek help for a condition which can seriously affect your quality of life. But, by using some of our tips and tricks for managing your leaks, you may be able to find relief and keep your bedding dry.
Final Thoughts
Night-time incontinence can sound pretty scary. But, in reality, it's a condition you can manage with the right lifestyle changes, medications, or even with the right products.
No matter how severe your condition is, it's always best to consult with your doctor to identify the root cause of the problem. And, hopefully with Jude's awesome leak-proof products and bladder supplements, you'll have a dry night's sleep in no time.
References
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.