New Bedwetting in Adulthood Needs an Assessment

Bedwetting that begins in adulthood is not typical and may signal a health condition. Mayo Clinic¹ advises talking to a healthcare professional to establish the cause. Urine released while asleep is called nocturnal enuresis.¹

The assumption to leave out of the explanation

Do not decide that you simply slept too deeply and leave it there. A possible explanation still needs checking when the change is new.

Mayo Clinic¹ lists several possible causes, including bladder problems, producing too much urine overnight, constipation, sleep apnea, medicine effects, neurological conditions, urinary infection or blockage, diabetes and kidney disease. The list cannot tell you which applies to you.¹

Ask for assessment before choosing a remedy from someone else’s experience. Describe whether urine leaked while you were asleep or whether you woke and struggled to reach the bathroom. If you are unsure, say so.

What the appointment may investigate

The clinician may review your medical history and perform a physical examination. Possible investigations include urinalysis, urinary-system tests or a neurological examination. Treatment depends on the cause. This is a menu of possible assessments, not a required set for every person.¹

Bring the dates you remember and your medicine list. Describe changes you have noticed during the day as well as overnight. Ask which observations the clinician wants recorded and for how long.

You do not need a completed record before asking for an appointment. Make the call with the information you have.

Explain the effect on your plans

Tell the clinician if you have begun avoiding overnight visits or are worried about sharing a bed. Those details can sit beside the physical description in your appointment notes.

You might ask: “What are we checking first? How will I receive the results? Whom should I contact if the pattern changes before the next visit?” Record the answers with the review date.

Did I Do That in My Sleep? includes a Visit Brief and a 14-Night Lights-Out Record. Use them to organize your questions and nighttime observations alongside any record your clinician requests. See the book.