Adult bed-wetting: A concern?
My husband has started to wet the bed at night. What causes adult bed-wetting? Should we be concerned about this?Updated: 2023-01-31
Answer Section
Bed-wetting that starts in adulthood (secondary enuresis) is uncommon and requires medical evaluation.
Causes of adult bed-wetting may include:
- A blockage (obstruction) in part of the urinary tract, such as from a bladder stone or kidney stone
- Bladder problems, such as small capacity or overactive nerves
- Diabetes
- Enlarged prostate
- Medication side effect
- Neurological disorders
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Urinary tract infection
Tests and procedures used to determine the cause of adult bed-wetting include:
- Physical exam
- Urine tests
- Urologic tests
- Neurological evaluation
Treatment of adult bed-wetting is directed at the underlying cause, when possible.