Bed-wetting 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 looking at you that you have this problem.
Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated:
Wednesday, June 22nd 2011
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Posted by Eddie on 08/05/2012 at 03:43
I am 67 years old now, and I have always had nocturnal enuresis, to give it a name or bed wetter, I have been married now for 48 years and my wife helps me purchase my plastic pants which I wear over my Euron nappy pad every night, I am being supplied with the pads by my district nurse who works through the NHS continence service, I have regular urine flow tests and bladder scans, and they also up date me if another nappy pad becomes available, but when we go into hospital, they wont let us wear our own pads or pants, my wife as told them she will replace my pants every day and bring my pads as well, but they say we have our own pads and dont allow plastic pants because they dont have cleaning facilities for the pants, so I have spent many a worried night wearing unfamiliar pads and no pants, the result being a wet bed and complete embarrassment all round, I know the mattresses are cover in a thick PVC, but they still need cleaning if they get wet, I wish this issue could be cleared up to save blushes all round. Thank You.
Posted by Optional on 07/05/2012 at 10:57
You may find this silly but with me being male I would be much more confident if a female doctor was to reassure and explain that it is common and that theirs nothing to worry about. Where as if I was to find the courage to visit a doctor, a woman would make me feel shy and uncomfortable.
Posted by Optional on 12/03/2012 at 01:19
I find myself wetting the bed after nights out. Its so embarrassing especially when Im staying at my boyfriends house or my friends house. Im 19, this shouldnt be happening me :(
Posted by Optional on 08/03/2012 at 11:41
I have been wettting the bed since i was young, dont rem when it started but still happening.
Posted by abc on 29/02/2012 at 05:37
Ive done it all my life doctors say nothing is wrong with me I'm 13 I don't no y I do it. I just do I read articles saying oh its a. Small bladder or its because u think negative or something like that I did not no so many people did it I feel kind of fit if u no wat I mean my parents made me feel ashamed of it like I was the odd man out I hope these comments make u guys feel better it sure helps me knowing I ain't the only one doing these things
Posted by Optional on 22/12/2011 at 09:31
I dream im in the restroom then i wake up and im wet
Posted by Optional on 05/12/2011 at 05:01
I have only wet the bed in my teenage/adult life twice and both times it was at university and i had cystitis. is there any way i can stop this being a hugely embarrassing symptom?!
Posted by Nick on 09/11/2011 at 12:52
Wetting the bed is not a 'fault' issue.It might be a dream or just out of nowhere you wake up 'wet'.Just don't blame youself.Strage as it seems,feeling guilty about it causes it because it haunts your dreams.I wet every now and then but if I let it bother me I wet more :))
Posted by Optional on 08/11/2011 at 08:36
Iv wet the bed twice now an im so embarresed, i havnt even told my husband. Its happened twice in the last 6 months but i never had this pronlem b4. Its weird cuz on both occ i was dreamin of wetin the bed an i did which is what woke me up. I wish this didnt happen - i dont want ot 2 happen again. I do hav a cider sumtimes b4 i go sleep an im startin 2 think that mite b the cause after readin all the comments. Every1s comments hav been realy help ful. Thanx im not alone
Posted by Nick on 07/11/2011 at 08:04
I wet the bed about twice a week.I just can't help it,it is nothing psychological.I think it is dreaming/sleeping too hard,I commonly dream of going to the toilet and then it just happens in bed.
Posted by Optional on 06/09/2011 at 01:06
I'm 17 an ever since I can remember I've had this problem, I've never been to the doctor even though my mum and dad a pressuring me to do sO I can't help this problem and when try try bring the subject up I change it immidietly. It's only my family who knows about my problem. When I was youner an went to sleepiness I never slept due to fright of bed wetting. How do I tell my mum and dad it's not laziness it's a problem I don't no how to solve. They hour and scream at me like I have done something wrong I would love t
Posted by medical on 22/06/2011 at 03:10
why do i wet the bed my mom and Doctor says it "medical"
Posted by ashley on 20/06/2011 at 03:44
i don't know what to do because i have had problems with bedwetting and i have had accidents on my mattress where i would have to throw my mattress away. i have had phrases where i went a week without wetting the bed and it's still happening frequently. I NEED HELP!!!!!!
Posted by Optional on 21/05/2011 at 07:06
Please i really need your help.am weting my bed and to worsen it i do unirate often in day time.but anytime i feel like unirating.i ll hold it till it wet my pant,during d nite i wet bed.please i nid counseling.
Posted by Jacci on 24/04/2011 at 04:24
I coulnt find what I was looking for answers to. I have a 21 year old boyfriend who over the last two weeks has begun to urinate in the bed at might without realizing it. He doesn't have any frequent urination problem during the day I scared that sethimg bad is happening and he refuses to go to the dr.
Posted by Optional on 19/02/2011 at 02:15
I'm seventeen years old, and I started wetting the bed when I was about 7 or 8. We went to the doctor, and I was prescribed some pills, which worked for a few months then stopped. I was then given an alarm that I wore at night, which was awful. I stopped for about two years until I was 10-11, then it re-started and I haven't stopped since. I wear Depends now, and I'm so used to it. It's holding me back from living my life, and it's caused me so much mental anguish. There are only about four people that know about it. I can't even tell my best friend because I'm disgusted with myself.
Posted by Optional on 12/02/2011 at 03:08
Ive wet the bed since i was 4, i think, and am now 17. I go throught phases of not wetting for a week or so, then i will wet for a week or two every night, without fail. I usually fina that i wet most ofter, just before, during and just after my period most. Is this uncommon? And do you know a reason maybe why this is happening? Any help would be amazing!
Posted by HNF on 24/01/2011 at 08:56
I have been wetting the bed all my life. I've tried pills, the alarm thing and those pullups, but nothing seems to work. The doctor told me there was a kind of surgery I could get, but my mom declined cuz he also said it would stop when I hit puberty. Unfortunately, I got my period in July of 2010 and I had it for about a week, then it stopped and I was expecting another in august but I never got my period again. My dad recently bought me another alarm to try. The first day, I didn't wet the bed, the second it was only a little, and now it's back to normal. I still wet the bed at 13 years old and I would love any help anyone would be willing to give me.
Posted by Optional on 25/12/2010 at 08:03
I am a 15 year old girl and I started wetting my bed almost every night. I've been wetting my bed for as long as i can remember and then when I was 12-13 I finally stopped. Then all of a sudden, about a month ago I started again. The only new thing that has happened is me joining track and my mom blames that. My parents always ask why I do it but I just dont know!!! Why did I start again?? Before it only happened once every like 5 months now its a few times a week. PLease help.
Posted by bedwetersteve on 14/12/2010 at 12:31
been a bedwetter my whole life tryed meds nasal spray head docs nothing works im just accepting it now and wear diapers everynite it better then waking up soaked and smelly
Posted by Kim on 11/12/2010 at 02:30
My parents seem to think I'm not even trying now. My dad asks me why I didn't wake up, when that's the cause of the bed wetting to start with. I've been dealing with this my entire life, I've missed trips and sleepovers that I still hear about year later. I want to beat it SO badly. But after 14 years, I'm starting to wonder if it's even possible...
Posted by Nat on 29/11/2010 at 05:17
I can relate to SP, im 19 and started wetting again when I was 15ish. My dad just looks at me with disgust every time and insists that i could stop if i tried! I have to ware drynites although there a bit small, im made buy these myself, going into the shop is soooo embarrassing!
Posted by SP on 12/11/2010 at 02:39
Hello, I am an 18 year old female and I have wet the bed all my life. I refuse to disclose my name because, quite frankly, complete mortification is the last thing on my list. I suppose I would feel a little better about my situation if my father didn't treat me like complete shit about being a nasty bitch as he calls it. As if I loove pissing myself every single life. Look out world, I'm living the glamorous life. (sarcasm) I've cut myself off from sleepovers or any situation that permits me to sleep at someone else's house. I get humiliated enough from my own family. I don't need it from others. I've tried going to the doctors. I even asked my dad to take me back recently so I could get checked out but he insist that it's not my body, it's me. When I was little, the doctor told me not to drink anything after six. I got so desperate once that I didn't drink anything after four. I would go to bed with cotton mouth, thristy and frustrated. But, of course, like clockwork I woke up wet and disgusted with myself. I know that I can personally relate to every single person on here. Well, maybe not all. The mental stress you go through wondering why me. What did I ever do to deserve this? Hn, I must have been one sick little sadest in my past life and this is my punishment. Everything I try to do to help myself, my situation, doesn't work. I'm at the end of my rope, my wit's end, my ship is sinking. Please, for help I beg thee.
Posted by Eric on 23/10/2010 at 03:35
I have been weting the bed most of my life,my wife understands and assists me,I wear PVC pants and a nappy at nights, they work and keep me dry at nights,we hide the pants and nappies when on holiday,so nobody knows about my problem,I dont suppose there is anything I can do about it now.
Posted by Melissa on 17/10/2010 at 05:44
I am 17 years old and I still wet my bed sometimes. I have always been a bedwetter and although it has slowed down, it still happens. I wet every night until I was 15. Now, I have my mattress protected in case I have an accident. I wear Depend Pull-ups when I have a "series" of accidents I which still happens. I am a deep sleeper and also have a weak bladder. There have been n few occasions where I have accidentally peed in my pants during the day too. Now that is embarrassing!
Posted by ALE on 12/08/2010 at 06:57
I have wet the bed my whole life. I leak ever day just doing normal things like walking and sitting and standing. Do not get me started on laughing, coughing or sneezing. It is so embarrassing because I am 19. I just want a normal life. I had Kideny reflux when I was 2 until I was 13 then I was diagnosed with a Neurogenic Bladder. Last Christmas the doctor suggested a InterStim procedure. it worked up until about a month or so ago then it went crazy and I can't stop wetting the bed period. I am so tired of this and just want it all to stop!
Posted by Annie on 12/08/2010 at 07:59
I had started wetting the bed at 13 and I still do almost every night I've tried different strstegiies to stop but I kep doing it, is so hard i went to my dr he didn't do much besides tell me I could have a infection there which would need to be scanned to check x I think I had started because of my abusive parents and stressful school so I try to relax myself so I wet the bed still on a regular basis dr told my parents there making me where pull ups and i really don't want to wet the bed agen at my m8s sleep over x
Posted by Optional on 01/06/2010 at 11:36
For the past few months, I've noticed yellow stains on my mattress. I was hoping it was a mixture of my sweat and the stain from my mattress, but I think that's just hopefull thinking. I'm obviously wetting the bed. What can I do?
Posted by Optional on 12/05/2010 at 04:16
I began wetting the bed several weeks ago. I assumed it was due to the stress of losing my job and the emotional guilt I felt at the additional pressures I had forced in my family household. I secured a new job yesterday but wet the bed during the night. I don't have a solution. It is very distressing. I will possibly resort to buying protective underwear or some other product until this resolves itself. I am not sure what I can do to resolve it myself.
Posted by AKL on 11/05/2010 at 01:23
I've started wetting the bed just last year, and it's been going on and on since. It's really starting to wear away at me, and I just want a way to deal with it so I don't have to stress over it anymore. Maybe a little early to be resigned to it, but I don't really have the energy to spare to stress over it. I've started just wearing diapers to bed. It's an embarrassing solution, but for now it's letting me sleep easier, and they're honestly starting to get comfortable as I get used to them.
Posted by Optional on 07/05/2010 at 12:48
Ive wet the bed for ever it hurts me because i dont know what to do anymore. i have a girlfriend and she knows but doesnt care about it and trys to help the best she can. ive been doing a lil better at night but still i wet in the day at times.
Posted by kj on 30/04/2010 at 03:25
i am 23 and still wet the bed sometimes. i even wet my husband, please i need help i don't know what to do!
Posted by Janet on 04/04/2010 at 04:30
i've had a plastic sheet on my bed for 10 years. i'm so frustrated with wetting the bed. my mom and doctor keep saying i'll grow out of it, but honestly, it doesn't feel that way. over the years the number of times i've wet the bed have decreased though. my doctor gave me this pill called DDAVP, and i only use it on nights where i'm not in my own bed. you can use it every night too (i choose not to). don't be afraid to tell people like your mom, dad, or a close friend. they can help you deal with it. also, don't be afraid to go to a doctor's because they should be able to help you. you never know until you try
Posted by ME on 09/03/2010 at 11:37
My brother and I have wet the bed since we were little. Its genetic, my father wet when he was young. My brother stopped when he turned about 13 well i am now 18 and I still wet the bed. Sometimes I have dry nights. Sometimes dry for a week straight then it will start again. Told it was from stress but even when i dont have anything to be stressed about. My boyfriend knows because i peed on him once. lol but he understood and supports me through it. My best friend also knows and she understands. Its really embarrassing but tell the person your always with like a boyfriend, girlfriend, or bestie, they understand. They find out eventuall anyways.I thought it would have stopped by now but I dont know what to think anymore. Im going to see my doctor to find out the cause and my options. Its work....and i wish hope for everyone with this problem.
Posted by Debz on 04/03/2010 at 01:12
Im 19 and ive wet the bed all my life, ive been to doctors, ive been to clinics and i still wet the bed, if im in someone else place i dont wet it but wen i get comfotable i start, its very anoyin cos ive tried everythign from alarms to tablets n it still happens, im 20 this year and am soo embaressed i jus ddont know wot to do!!
Posted by george on 31/01/2010 at 04:51
i am at my wits end i have started wetting the bed but its only when i have had a few beers that this happens it has only recently started a few months ago wondering if anyone may have the same prob, as i say its only after a few beers.and would appreciate your view on this.
Posted by joseph jesujoba on 19/01/2010 at 11:21
It is already a thing of shame. I will discover i found myself playinf in my sleep and just dashed to a nearby to urinate, half into it i will wake up.
Posted by Anonymous on 18/01/2010 at 07:36
Iam now 15 going on 16 and i have always wet the bed. I went to tge doctor because i jus couldnt cope anymore wuth the embaressment of having to tell my mumnit had happend and so the doctor gave me some tablets, desmopressin, to stop it from happerning. Within the 1st couple of months i wasnt bed wetting at all i was soo happy but a couple of weeks ago i wet the bed i took my tablet tgat night but it still happend. Please help???
Posted by Justin on 18/01/2010 at 11:10
Yes, I'm sixteen years old and i still freakin wet my freakin bed. I'm going crazy because it's so embarrassing. My parents found it out recently and my dad is killing me and telling me how disgusting it is. it's not my fault! i felt so alone but now through this site, not as much as before.
Posted by john on 06/01/2010 at 05:24
I feel very embarrassed about having to start to wear a nappy and a pair of incontinence pants for bed and have a rubber sheet under me for bed wetting. I live on my own andI feel worried about visiting members of my family seeing any of these things while they are hanging up while drying after washing but feel too embarrassed also to tell them that I have started to wet the bed,so I'm not sure how to approach this this situation.
Posted by Anonymous on 12/10/2009 at 04:29
yeah im 17 and i have never had a dry night in my life i now have a boyfriend and he wants me to sleep over at his house but im to embarrassed to tell him that i wet the bed. i used to wear pull ups until a few years ago and then i just stopped wearing them because thats even more embarrassing. what do i do?
Posted by Tye on 18/09/2009 at 03:37
I am 21 and I used to wet the bed every night up until I was 16. When I was 11 I found out that I only have 1 kidney and it needed to be operated on. After hitting 16 it became less frequent, after I hit 19 I stopped wetting before I started my period every month and I find that I do not wet when someone is sleeping next to me. Unfortunately this problem has come back and I don't know what to do about it. It only seems to happen on the nights that my fiance and I have sex. I don't know why this is happening, but I want it to stop.
Posted by CM on 16/09/2009 at 09:12
i am 23 years old. I have been wetting the bed since I was a child. No one in my entire family has tis problem. I am scared to go to the doctors. I don't even feel it when it happenes. I am unable to wake up. Is there anything that can help this problem.
Posted by Anonymous on 16/09/2009 at 10:56
I have been wetting my bed for the last 15 years, ever since my wife passed. I feel this website has helped greatly and has minimised my early morning accidents. Thank-you
Posted by shell on 19/07/2009 at 04:08
have been wetting myself and the bed for years after giving birth to my daughter . i now control this by wearing a nappy . not very nice but atleast iam dry . my husband is very supportive . so dont wait use prottection and save on getting embaressed .
Posted by peanut butter on 18/07/2009 at 05:46
i have started to wet the bed at night i don't know why though i just started wetting the bed but this has never happened before why?
Posted by green on 05/05/2009 at 11:11
on odd occasions i wet the bed,usually i have either beendreaming about urinating or i have been in a very deep sleep and the wet bed wakes me. I dont drink at night, but i do drink tea and coffee in the daytime. I alstake medicartion for angina
Posted by Anonymous on 13/04/2009 at 12:35
I have been bed wetting since I was a child. I thought it would stop as got older but it is now worse than ever. I am bed wetting on a nightly basis(every night)it is getting very bad. I even get up at least twice in the night desperate for the loo and can still wake up wet in the morning. It is now driving me mad, I just want to go to sleep and wake up nice and dry. I dont get into deep sleeps never have really, so I dont know why this happens every night?? Can anyone help me?
Posted by Anonymous on 24/03/2009 at 03:54
I havent "wet the bed" since i was very young, but a couple months ago it happened, i woke up right after, terrified and washed everything before anyone woke up. Now i fear it will happen again, and i have the strong urge to urinate every time a lay down to sleep even if i use the restroom right before
Posted by Anonymous on 22/03/2009 at 02:16
My roommate has wet our futon twice in the last week. We have no idea why she does this and she doesn't own up to it, even though there are even still yellow stains on the futon. She finally washed the sheets after asking her to. What can I do to solve this problem? How do you confront it or what precautions do you take to prevent it or keep it sanitary?
Posted by rose on 07/03/2009 at 07:24
i am 34 and in this last mounth i have started wetting bed i dont know what to do
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Bed-wetting in teenagers and adults: what you can do
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