Involuntary wetting the bed during sleep (the medical term is enuresis) is more common in adults than you might think. It affects about one person in every hundred, mainly men. More than 100,000 teenagers in the UK wet the bed, some only occasionally, while others may never have experienced a dry night. Many feel so embarrassed that they hide it from their families and can find it a barrier to forming close relationships. It can be especially difficult when staying away from home.
Here we provide information on the causes of bedwetting in teenagers and adults, what you can do and what your doctor can do.
If you also have difficulty holding your urine during the day, look at the section on urinary incontinence.
Bedwetting in Teenagers and Adults – Causes
Adults who wet the bed at night often have problems in the daytime as well, such as having to rush to the lavatory (urgency). It may be caused by a...
Bedwetting in Teenagers and Adults – What You Can Do
Do not blame yourself. Remind yourself that it is not your fault. There is no need to feel guilty or dirty. And remember that no one can tell just by...
Bedwetting in Teenagers and Adults – What Your Doctor Can Do
Check that there is nothing seriously wrong. Your doctor will ask you questions, especially about whether you have wet the bed since childhood, or whether it is a new problem....