Urological Health Bladder Health Why Does Adult Bedwetting Happen? By Cristina Mutchler Cristina Mutchler LinkedIn Twitter Cristina Mutchler is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience in national media, specializing in health and wellness content. A multilingual Latina, Cristina's work has appeared on CNN and its platforms, local news affiliates across the country, and in the promotion of medical journal articles and public health messaging. Learn about our editorial process Published on February 22, 2022 Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD LinkedIn Kashif J. Piracha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 14 years of experience treating patients in acute care hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes Diagnosis Treatment When To See a Provider Frequently Asked Questions Bedwetting (medically known as nocturnal enuresis) is typically associated with young children. But wetting the bed at night can also happen to adults. While it's nothing to be ashamed of, enuresis may be a symptom of bladder control issues, or it may be a sign of an underlying health condition. Seeing a healthcare provider to get to the root cause of bedwetting is essential for getting effective treatment and reducing the chances of accidents overnight. This article discusses the potential reasons for adult bedwetting and provides information on treatment options. Tetra Images / Getty Images Causes Nocturnal enuresis, or involuntarily urinating during the nighttime, happens when a person's bladder doesn't respond to signals that it needs to empty while sleeping. There are several possible reasons this may occur. Sleep Apnea The sleep disorder known as sleep apnea causes a person's breathing to stop briefly while sleeping. These breathing interruptions cause a drop in oxygen levels and can also affect bladder control. Research shows that adults (and children) with sleep apnea may be likely to experience bedwetting as a result. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that affects the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, and urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body). Notable UTI symptoms include an increased urge to urinate and difficulty controlling urination. This can lead to involuntarily bedwetting at night. Hormonal Issues Issues with a certain hormone in the body, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), can also prompt adult bedwetting. The normal release of ADH at nighttime signals the kidneys to decrease urine production, reducing the urge to pee while sleeping. But an imbalance of ADH can lead to increased urine production and, ultimately, bedwetting. Overactive Bladder Muscles Some people have overactive bladder muscles that contract involuntarily, even when there's not much urine in the bladder. This leads to a sudden urge to urinate that can be difficult to control, which may result in nocturnal enuresis. It's estimated that most adults who experience bedwetting likely have overactive bladder muscles. Have You Experienced a Sudden Loss of Bladder Control? Lifestyle Factors Some daily lifestyle habits have the potential to affect your bladder or your sleep cycle, which could in turn prompt enuresis. Some of these factors may include: Alcohol and caffeine consumption, which can increase urinary production and alter the sleep cycle function Use of certain medications, such as some sedatives or psychiatric medications, that cause a rapid increase in urine production Low levels of physical activity, linked to sleep disturbances and frequent nighttime urination Stress or anxiety, both of which are known to interfere with normal sleep patterns Diagnosis Adult bedwetting can be a symptom of other underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or a urinary infection. This is why it's important to uncover the root cause of your enuresis and get a proper diagnosis. During an appointment with a healthcare provider, you can expect them to: Review your medical history, including whether you've experienced any lifestyle, diet, or medication changes or whether you've been recently diagnosed with a condition such as diabetes Go over all recent symptoms, including nighttime and daytime changes in bladder control Perform a physical exam, which may include a test to see if you release urine under simple stress like coughing Take a urine sample to test for infection, traces of blood, or other abnormalities Conduct tests such as a neurological exam to identify potential sensory or reflex issues, urodynamic testing to look at how the bladder is storing and releasing urine, or a cystogram to determine the volume of urine left in the bladder after using the bathroom To make a diagnosis, a healthcare provider will take into account the results of these various tests plus how often you've been experiencing nighttime bedwetting. Treatment After other underlying medical conditions have been ruled out, a healthcare provider can recommend a treatment plan for nocturnal enuresis that works for you. There are several effective treatments available based on your individual needs and preferences. Lifestyle Changes A first course of treatment may include making some behavioral, lifestyle, and habit changes, such as: Stopping fluid intake late in the evening Avoiding certain drinks like caffeine or alcohol that increase the production of urine Learning bladder and pelvic floor exercises (like Kegels) to strengthen bladder muscles Wearing an adult pull-up diaper, if needed, to avoid an accident Practicing meditation techniques or utilizing talk therapy to tackle stress reduction Medication While there is no specific medication that will "cure" bedwetting, there are a few options that may help decrease urine production during sleep or allow the bladder to hold more urine. Medications that are often used for this purpose include: Nocdurna (desmopressin acetate) to mimic a body chemical that controls urine productionChlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine maleate) to help relax overactive bladder musclesDitropan (oxybutynin) to help reduce or stop bladder contractions, while increasing the capacity of the bladder Your healthcare provider will go over all risks and benefits of a medication before prescribing it. Surgery If lifestyle tweaks and medication haven't been successful, or if your case is severe enough, a surgical procedure may be considered. Options may include: Sacral nerve stimulation, which safely alters nerve activity to calm overactive bladder muscles Augmentation cystoplasty, a type of surgery that enlarges the bladder Detrusor myectomy, a major surgery that involves removing muscles surrounding the bladder to control contractions Treatment Options for Overactive Bladder Don't Be Embarrassed Wetting the bed as an adult may feel frustrating and embarrassing, but remember that there's no reason to be ashamed because it's not your fault. Many people experience bladder control problems, whether due to aging or a medical condition. Seeing a healthcare provider can help you get the situation under control. When To See a Provider Because enuresis can be the result of another underlying medical condition, experts recommend that all adults experiencing nighttime bedwetting see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. They'll be able to review your medical history, discuss symptoms, and perform any tests needed to get an accurate diagnosis, and they can rule out any other serious medical conditions. From there, you'll be on the road to the best treatment option. Seek Medical Care Soon Nocturnal enuresis may be a symptom of bladder control issues, or it could be a sign of a more serious condition, like diabetes, kidney disease, or an issue with the urinary tract or nervous system. This is why it's important to seek medical care as soon as you notice bedwetting episodes. Summary Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is an issue commonly associated with young children. But when it happens as an adult, it could be the sign of an underlying condition, such as sleep apnea, a UTI, or overactive bladder muscles. Depending on the cause, treatment options can include lifestyle modifications, medication, and, in serious cases, surgery. A Word From Verywell If you're experiencing bedwetting as an adult, know that you're not alone. Nocturnal enuresis is estimated to occur in up to 2% of adults in the U.S. And that number may actually be even higher, as some experts suspect adult bedwetting isn't accurately reported due to feelings of embarrassment or shame. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to help improve your quality of life. Frequently Asked Questions How do you clean a mattress after bedwetting? To avoid contaminating mattresses with urine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a fitted, protective mattress cover. If possible, find one that is washable, waterproof, and zips off. That makes it easy to remove, wash, and disinfect when accidents happen at night, leaving your mattress clean and dry. How do bedwetting alarms work? Special alarms known as bedwetting alarms can help wake you up if you begin to wet the bed. A sensor will buzz or make a sound when it detects wetness or moisture, waking you up to use the restroom. 11 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Dagur G, Warren K, Ambroise S, et al. Urological manifestations of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a review of current literature. Transl Biomed. 2015;6:3. doi:10.21767/2172-04 Bladder & Bowel Community. Nocturnal enuresis. National Association for Continence. Ask the expert: What causes bedwetting in adults? (And how can I make it stop?). National Association for Continence. Adult bedwetting (sleep enuresis). Akhavizadegan H, Locke JA, Stothers L, Kavanagh A. A comprehensive review of adult enuresis. Can Urol Assoc J. 2019;13(8):282-287. doi:10.5489/cuaj.5485 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diagnosis of bladder control problems (urinary incontinence). Baek M, et al. A nationwide epidemiological study of nocturnal enuresis in Korean adolescents and adults: population based cross sectional study. J Korean Med Sci. 2013;28(7):1065-1070. doi:10.3346/jkms.2013.28.7.1065 National Kidney Foundation. Medications to treat bedwetting. Beaumont Health. Adult bedwetting (enuresis). National Association for Continence. Bedwetting. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Laundry and bedding: Guidelines for environmental infection control in health-care facilities. By Cristina Mutchler Cristina Mutchler is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience in national media, specializing in health and wellness content. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit