Urological Health Bladder Health Causes of Frequent Urination at Night By Laura Newman Laura Newman Laura Newman is an award-winning journalist with expertise in clinical medicine, health policy, urology, oncology, neurology, and targeted therapies. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 16, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Matthew Wosnitzer, MD Medically reviewed by Matthew Wosnitzer, MD LinkedIn Twitter Matthew Wosnitzer, MD, is a board-certified urologic surgeon and physician scientist. He specializes in male infertility. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Physiology Diet Pregnancy Medications Acute Conditions Chronic Conditions Nocturia is the medical term used to describe the need to get up frequently at night to urinate. It is a condition that people commonly attribute to older age, but there are other reasons why it can occur. Some causes are benign and readily resolved with lifestyle changes; others may be persistent or signs of a serious illness. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Chronic nocturia can significantly affect a person's well-being and quality of life, causing sleep deprivation, daytime fatigue, impaired concentration, depression, and a loss of productivity. Physiology Older age is one of the primary factors associated with nocturia, with the majority of cases affecting people over the age of 60. There may be multiple causes for this, but one of the prime reasons is a condition known as nocturnal polyuria (NP) in which high volumes of urine are produced during sleep. The prevalence of nocturnal polyuria increases with age, with as many as 77% of older women and 93% of older men affected. The size of a person's bladder also plays a large role in the risk of nocturia. This is especially true in younger people, in whom the volume of urine produced at night can often exceed the organ capacity. Causes and Treatment of Frequent Urination Diet The need to urinate at night may be diet-related, triggering nocturia either directly (by stimulating the production of urine) or indirectly (by compressing the bladder). Among some of the more common dietary causes are: Alcohol and caffeine: Both have diuretic properties that stimulate urine production. Dietary salt: Excessive salt (sodium) can trigger nocturia in people with obesity or poor cardiac output. Sodium increases fluid retention, the fluid of which may only be released at night when the bladder is full. Hyperhydration: Simply drinking too much water before bedtime is enough to trigger a middle-of-the-night bathroom visit. Low-fiber diet: Chronic constipation is a common consequence of a diet low in dietary fiber. At night, the buildup of stool can cause the bowel to distend, placing direct pressure on the bladder. What the Color and Smell of Urine Can Tell You Pregnancy Nocturia can occur during all stages of pregnancy but often for very different reasons. The times during which nocturia is common include: Early pregnancy: In early pregnancy, women often feel the need to urinate at night as rising progesterone levels promote bloating and water retention. In some cases, nocturia may be an early sign of pregnancy. Later pregnancy: During the second and third trimesters especially, it is not uncommon for women to experience frequent urination as the womb compresses the bladder. At night, certain body positions can intensify the compression and trigger nocturia. After pregnancy: Women will sometimes develop bladder and pelvic organ prolapse after delivery, both of which can exert pressure on the urinary tract. Research suggests that as many as 89% of pregnant women will experience nocturia at some point in their pregnancy. How to Deal With Frequent Urination During Pregnancy Medications Nocturia may be caused by the medications you take. In some cases, a drug may promote the release of acetylcholine, a compound that affects the system and can provoke bladder contractions. At other times, it may impair the release of norepinephrine, a hormone that helps direct the relaxation of smooth muscles, including those of the bladder. Other drugs simply have a diuretic effect. Some of the drugs commonly associated with nocturia include: Darvon (propoxyphene) Declomycin (demeclocycline) Dilantin (phenytoin) Diuretics, such as Lasix (furosemide) Lanoxin (digoxin) Lithium Penthrox (methoxyflurane) The excessive use of vitamin D can also promote nighttime urination. The urge to urinate often coincides with the peak concentration of the drug in the bloodstream. Adjusting the timing of the dose may help resolve nocturia in some people. In others, a drug substitution may be needed. Acute Conditions Nocturia may occur in tandem with an acute condition involving the urinary tract. The urologic conditions include: Bladder stones Interstitial cystitis (bladder infection) Kidney stones Pyelonephritis (kidney infection) Urinary tract infection (UTI) With conditions like these, inflammation can trigger urinary urgency (the sudden need to urinate due to contractions with the urinary tract). Nocturia is often an extension of urinary urgency during the day. Once the cause of the inflammation is treated, the nocturia will almost invariably resolve. What Does Pain With Urination Mean? Chronic Conditions Nocturia may also be the result of a chronic condition and, as a result, may persist and be harder to resolve. Some of the causes are urologic and others aren't. The most common include: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Bladder cancer Chronic heart failure (CHF) Diabetes Hypertension Multiple sclerosis (MS) Overactive bladder (OAB) Parkinson's disease (PD) Sleep apnea Nocturia may be associated with reduced cardiac output and increased fluid retention, such as occurs with CHF. Hypertension and sleep apnea can both exert pressure on the heart and stimulate the release of a compound called atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) that triggers the release of sodium and water. Other conditions cause nocturia by compressing the bladder (BPH), reducing the capacity of the bladder (bladder cancer), or overstimulating the bladder (MS, OAB, PD). Elevated blood sugar levels also promote nighttime urine production. Neurogenic Bladder and Loss of Bladder Control A Word From Verywell Nocturia may be considered a "sign of age" to some people, but it should never be ignored if it is severe and interfering with your ability to get a good night's rest. In some cases, it can be a sign of something that is either serious or imminently treatable. In younger people, nocturia should never be ignored. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 11 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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