Adult Bedwetting

Adult bedwetting is a condition that impacts thousands of people across Australia. Medically referred to as ‘nocturnal enuresis’, this condition can often cause people to feel embarrassed and ashamed.

In many instances, wetting the bed in adulthood may occur once or twice in people who do not suffer from the condition. If this is the case, it is unlikely that you have anything to worry about, however, regular bedwetting indicates that you may require enuresis treatment. In adults, there are a number of causes of bedwetting that can be managed with the right treatment and a waterproof mattress.        

Causes of bedwetting in adults

Adult bedwetting has a number of potential causes, which can range from hormonal and health issues to bladder size, genetics and types of medications.

More often than not, wetting the bed in adulthood is a result of an underlying health issue or obesity, as excess weight can put unnecessary pressure on the bladder overnight. 

Some of the most common causes include:

     Hormonal issues

If you are experiencing adult bedwetting, it is possible that your body is struggling to produce enough of, or doesn't respond well to, the Antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH helps to slow down the production of urine during the day and importantly, overnight. A lack of ADH paired with a difficulty waking up can lead to adults peeing in sleep.

     Small bladder

Small bladders feel fuller quicker and at lower volumes in comparison to regular-sized bladders. Although small bladders are not technically smaller in size, the need to go to the bathroom more often means your bladder has less capacity, therefore acting as if it is smaller. This can cause problems overnight for many Australians. 

     Genetics

If someone in your family has also experienced adult bedwetting in their lifetime, the chances of you experiencing the same condition are increased. 

     Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea, which is defined as a disorder that causes difficulty breathing throughout the night, is a condition in which many people experiencing adult bedwetting also have. Wetting the bed as an adult is a secondary symptom of sleep apnea, and may go away if the sleep apnea is treated by a professional.

     Muscle control problems

As your bladder fills up during the day, your muscles adjust in order to hold in and release the urine when appropriate. In instances where the detrusor muscle contracts at the wrong time, urine will be released regardless of the situation you are in. If this occurs multiple times, it is possible that you have an overactive bladder. 

     Medication

Frequent urination is a side effect of some very common prescription medications. It is important to discuss any concerns about your medications with your doctor before taking any further steps.

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of possible causes of adult bedwetting and any persistent bedwetting issues should be discussed with a general practitioner. 

Managing bedwetting in adults

There are a few home remedies for bedwetting in adults that involve simple lifestyle changes:

     Monitor fluids

Are you drinking too many fluids too close to your bedtime? A good way to manage your fluid intake is by drinking more fluids in the morning and then gradually reducing the amount of fluids throughout the day.

     Create a regular toilet routine

Sometimes your bladder and bowels need to be tricked into having a regular toilet routine. Set a schedule to go to the toilet every two to three hours throughout the day, plus before you go to bed.

     Cut down on bladder irritants

Sugary drinks, caffeine, sweeteners and alcohol are all bladder irritants that can lead to frequent urination. If you’re struggling with bedwetting, cutting these out of your diet may help.

Get the perfect mattress 

Bedwetting not only interrupts the comfortability of our sleep but also causes a lot of damage to mattresses. Replacing a mattress can be expensive, which is why some recommended to line your mattress with a mattress protector and sheets. The only problem with this is that sheets and protectors do not necessarily provide adequate protection when someone has had a bedwetting episode. There are specially designed plastic covers that can be used for bedwetters, but these are not very comfortable and can result in a very disrupted sleep.

BedGuard mattresses are waterproof, making them easy to clean and low maintenance if soiled. If someone wets a BedGuard bed, the urine will sit on the surface and not get absorbed further into the mattress fibres. The wet patch can be simply cleaned up using a paper towel and will not stain the mattress due to special treatments that have been applied during manufacturing.