What is nocturia and why does it keep me up at night?

Up to 44% of women aged between 20 and 40 are affected by it

By Web Desk

February 20, 2024

A pictorial representation of a woman feeling the need to urinate. — The Thalidomide Trust

Getting a good night’s sleep is hard enough without getting up to pee every hour.

The incessant need to urinate during the night Known as "nocturia" is a common condition that affects women more frequently than men, according to a study published in The Journal of Urology.

Up to 44% of women aged between 20 and 40 get up to pee at least once a night, while up to 18% pee at least twice a night, Women's Health Magazine reported.

What causes nocturia?

A host of factors may contribute to someone developing nocturia. Here are the following reasons why your sleep gets disrupted.

Drinking fluids before bedtime
Consuming alcohol or caffeine in the few hours before bedtime
Smoking
Taking medications such as diuretics or blood pressure
Having medical conditions such as diabetes, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, prostate problems, and bladder problems
Ageing
Changing hormones like during pregnancy and menopause
Having sleep apnea

Signs and symptoms of nocturia

According to Get Me Giddy some signs include:

An increased need to urinate during the day
Difficulty in urinating
A weak urine flow
Pain or blood in the urine
Mood changes or irritability due to a lack of sleep
Incontinence or leakage of urine

According to David Shusterman, age, weight, race, and gender all play a role in someone's likelihood of developing nocturia.

How is nocturia treated?

Nocturia is generally treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication, which is dependent on its root cause.

For example:

If your nocturia is caused by an enlarged prostate, it's treated with medications or procedures to shrink the prostate.
If you experience nocturia due to having diabetes, you will be treated accordingly.
If your nocturia is due to bladder issues, oral medications can be prescribed.