Bedwetting is usually associated with children, but it can also affect adults. Known medically as nocturnal enuresis, it refers to involuntary urination during sleep.
Bedwetting that begins or returns in adulthood is not considered typical and can sometimes point to an underlying medical condition. Possible causes include bladder problems, producing too much urine at night, constipation, urinary infections or blockage, sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, neurological conditions, diabetes and some medications.
The condition can be embarrassing, which may prevent some people from discussing it with a doctor. But persistent or newly developed bedwetting should be assessed, particularly when it begins after a period of staying dry.
Here are answers to 14 common questions about adult bedwetting.
1. Is it normal for adults to urinate in their sleep?
Occasional accidents can happen, but repeated bedwetting in adulthood is not considered typical.
Estimates vary. Cleveland Clinic reports that about 2% to 3% of adults over 18 have primary nocturnal enuresis, while other studies have reported different rates depending on the population and definition used.
Adults who begin wetting the bed after having stayed dry for six months or longer should speak with a healthcare professional because secondary enuresis can be associated with an underlying condition.
2. Can stress cause bedwetting in adults?
Stress and anxiety can contribute to bedwetting in some people, but they are not the only possible causes.
Mayo Clinic lists anxiety and stress among possible causes of adult bedwetting, alongside bladder conditions, excessive nighttime urine production, constipation, sleep disorders, neurological conditions and other medical problems.
Because adult bedwetting can have several possible causes, persistent episodes should not automatically be attributed to stress.
3. Is it normal to wet the bed when you’re older?
Bedwetting becomes less common as children grow older, but it can continue into adolescence and adulthood.
Most children eventually gain nighttime bladder control. Cleveland Clinic says the majority of children develop bladder control by about age 7, although occasional episodes can continue beyond that age.
When bedwetting occurs regularly in an older child, teenager or adult, a healthcare professional can help determine whether there is an underlying cause.
4. Can anxiety cause bedwetting?
Anxiety may contribute to nighttime wetting, particularly when it is associated with significant emotional stress or disruption.
However, bedwetting should not automatically be considered a psychological problem. Medical conditions, bladder function, sleep disorders, constipation and the amount of urine produced during the night can also play a role.
In children, bedwetting is also generally not considered to be caused by laziness or poor toilet training.
5. Why did I pee in my sleep last night?
There are several possible explanations.
During sleep, the body normally produces more of the hormone vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone or ADH. It signals the kidneys to reduce urine production at night.
If the body produces too little vasopressin, more urine may be produced while a person is asleep. Other possible causes include a bladder that holds smaller amounts of urine, difficulty waking when the bladder is full, constipation, urinary problems, sleep disorders and certain medical conditions.
One isolated episode does not necessarily mean that a person has a medical disorder.
6. At what age should I worry about bedwetting?
For children, continued bedwetting after age 7 may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional, particularly when it is frequent or accompanied by other symptoms.
The situation is different for adults. Bedwetting that starts in adulthood should be assessed because it may be linked to an underlying health problem.
Medical assessment is especially important when bedwetting is accompanied by daytime urine leakage, pain when urinating, changes in urine, difficulty passing urine or other new symptoms.
7. What neurological disorders can cause bedwetting in adults?
Some neurological conditions can interfere with the nerves that control the bladder and the brain’s response to a full bladder.
Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease are among neurological conditions that can be associated with urinary problems. Neurological changes more broadly are listed among possible causes of adult nocturnal enuresis.
Bedwetting by itself does not mean that a person has a neurological disorder. Other symptoms and medical history are important when determining the cause.
8. What does bedwetting mean psychologically?
Bedwetting does not have one specific psychological meaning.
It can be associated with emotional stress, anxiety or traumatic experiences, but it can also result from physical conditions involving the bladder, kidneys, urinary tract, hormones, sleep or the nervous system.
The condition can itself cause embarrassment and emotional distress, particularly when a person is worried about others discovering it.
9. Can being overweight cause bedwetting in adults?
Obesity is associated with some conditions that can contribute to nighttime urination and bedwetting, but it is too simplistic to say that excess weight directly causes every case of adult bedwetting.
Mayo Clinic lists obesity and diabetes among metabolic conditions that may be associated with adult bedwetting. Sleep apnea, which is also associated with obesity, can contribute to the problem as well.
Treatment therefore depends on identifying the underlying cause rather than assuming that weight alone is responsible.
10. Can diabetes cause bedwetting in adults?
Diabetes can contribute to increased urine production and may therefore play a role in nighttime wetting.
When blood glucose levels are high, the kidneys may produce more urine as the body attempts to remove excess glucose. Diabetes is among the medical conditions associated with adult bedwetting.
A person who develops new bedwetting together with increased thirst or frequent urination should discuss the symptoms with a healthcare professional.
11. Why would a grown man pee in his sleep?
Adult bedwetting in men can have several causes.
These include bladder problems, urinary tract infection or obstruction, constipation, diabetes, neurological conditions, excessive nighttime urine production and sleep disorders. In some cases, medications may also contribute.
The cause cannot be determined from bedwetting alone. A healthcare professional may need to assess the person’s medical history, symptoms and urinary function.
12. What is it called when you pee in your sleep?
The medical term is nocturnal enuresis.
It means involuntary urination during sleep. The condition can occur in children and adults.
Primary nocturnal enuresis generally refers to people who have never maintained nighttime dryness for an extended period, while secondary nocturnal enuresis refers to bedwetting that returns after a period of staying dry.
13. Can constipation cause bedwetting in adults?
Yes. Constipation can contribute to bedwetting.
A full rectum can place pressure on the bladder and interfere with the signals between the bladder and the brain. It can also affect how much urine the bladder can hold or prevent it from emptying completely.
For that reason, constipation may be considered when a healthcare professional is investigating the cause of nighttime wetting.
14. How is bedwetting in adults treated?
Treatment depends on what is causing the bedwetting.
A healthcare professional may begin by taking a medical history and performing a physical examination. Tests can include urinalysis, blood tests or other investigations when an underlying condition is suspected.
Treatment may involve addressing an underlying medical condition, changing certain bedtime habits or using medication.
Desmopressin, a synthetic form of vasopressin, can reduce the amount of urine produced at night and may be used in some cases. Other medicines may be considered when bladder overactivity or another specific bladder problem is involved.
Because medicines can have side effects and may not be appropriate for everyone, they should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
For adults whose bedwetting is persistent, new or accompanied by other urinary or neurological symptoms, identifying the underlying cause is an important part of treatment.
