Causes for Adult Bed-Wetting

Adult bed-wetting can have serious effects on your mental and physical health. It could either be a sign that you have greater issues or something minor. First, If you experience adult bed-wetting only once and never again it most likely wasn’t related to a medical problem. However, if you experience multiple instances it’s probably time you see a doctor or urologist. 

This can be hard for some patients, as they may feel ashamed or think this situation only to be experienced by a child. Yet 1 to 2 percent of adults will experience some form of adult bed-wetting in their lifetime, so you are not alone. If you are experiencing adult bed-wetting these are some common causes and signs that you need to see a urologist.

1. Urinary Tract Infection
2. Small Bladder
3. Overactive Bladder
4. Genetics
5. Diabetes
6. Stress
7. Weight gain
8. Medication

Urinary Trace Infection

A UTI can inflame the urinary tract, which may not only make you feel like you need to urinate more often but wet the bed as well. If you start to smell a foul odor, experience pain while urinating, or notice cloudy urine you may have a UTI.  A UTI can happen for multiple reasons and is quite common. Your doctor can prescribe you medicine to treat a UTI.

Small Bladder

Some patients have a “small bladder”. Or rather, according to the NAFC, “The physical size of the bladder isn’t actually smaller, rather, the functional bladder capacity (FBC) can hold a smaller volume of urine.” You will usually feel the need to urinate often in conjunction with adult bed-wetting. Symptoms will usually worsen over time without physical exercise and obesity.

Overactive Bladder

Much like a small bladder, an overactive bladder will give you the feeling that you need to pee often. This often results from overactive bladder muscles that are activated even when your bladder is low in urine. Around 30% of men and 40% of women experience some type of overactive bladder symptom according to the American Urological Association.

Genetics

Like almost all health-related problems, genetics plays a factor in adult bed-wetting. Those who have parents that experience bed-wetting may expect to experience the same phenomena as well. If this is the case, you’ll need to consult with a urologist about an individual plan for you.

Diabetes

Diabetes is also related to adult bed-wetting for two reasons. Often those who have diabetes are also obese which puts pressure on the bladder. Second, when you have diabetes your body does not process glucose properly. In turn, your body creates more urine than it can hold. If you have diabetes and you are not taking measures to regulate your body, this could be what’s causing you to urinate while in bed. 

Stress

Stress is known to affect the body in many significant ways. From causing stomach pain, endless anxiety, to even bed-wetting, repeated stress takes a toll on your body. If you feel burnt out with life and have started to notice your stress levels rising, this can be a cause. However, it is often stress in combination with other health factors that lead to adult bed-wetting.

Weight Gain

Weight gain or obesity can cause you to wet the bed because of the extra pressure put on your bladder and pelvic floor. This weakens the muscles that control your bladder resulting in wetting the bed at night. Try exercising and see if you notice any improvement.

Medication

Taking a new medication lately and starting to notice adult bed-wetting? Medication can sometimes have funny effects on our body and cause unwanted side effects. If you start to notice that you are wetting the bed after taking a new medication contact your doctor immediately.

Most importantly though, if you experience multiple instances of adult bed-wetting it’s time to contact a Urologist. At Northwoods Urology we can help! We are a judgment-free clinic dedicated to helping our patients live their best lives. Contact us today, and come see how we can help you!