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Peeing at night

(33 Posts)
Sikipoo Fri 12-Jun-26 20:09:21

I am 67 and obviously post menopausal. For the past few years I have had constant utis,but they have now settled. Had various investigations and all ok.
Anyway for the past few months I am in and out of the loo during the night for a pee. Sometimes 3 times, which drives me mad. Not diabetic and perfectly well. During the day all as normal. Does anyone else have this . Have tried cutting down drinking before bed etc, but no difference.

teabagwoman Fri 12-Jun-26 20:38:59

I was advised to wait at least 30 seconds after I think I’ve finished peeing to give my bladder time to fully contract. Apparently it takes much longer as you get older. I find I often have a second small pee.

LauraNorderr Fri 12-Jun-26 20:55:11

This was happening to me too. It’s horrid isn’t it.
Someone told me to take pumpkin seed oil capsules, one in the evening. It took about a month to make any difference but now I sleep for 6 or 7 hours before needing get up.
Maybe mention to your doctor if you’re on other medication to make sure it’ll be okay for you.
Good luck.

SpinDriftCoastal Fri 12-Jun-26 21:02:50

I try to drink a lot of my liquid, mostly water, before lunch i.e. 1 1/2 litres. It takes the pressure off middle of the night peeing. And then I go to the loo just before going to sleep. My pelvic physio told me to rock on the loo to get most of it out, and to allow 10 seconds after finished to allow any excess to come out. Sorry to be so explicit.

REKA Fri 12-Jun-26 21:05:33

Oh this has just started with me! Isn't it awful. Mind you, I only wake up the once but never in my 65 years has this happened. I get the occasional night when all is well but it happens probably 4 or 5 times a week.

HowVeryDareYou2 Fri 12-Jun-26 21:22:40

I have to wee 2 or 3 times during the night - I've got an overactive bladder and for years have been weeing 20-25 times in 24 hours! (the norm is 8 times). I've been on Solifenacin tablets for 3 weeks now, and "only" wee 14 times in 24 hours now.

Floradora9 Fri 12-Jun-26 21:23:19

If you tilt forward while seated on the toilet it tilts the bladder and you get a bit more out . Having said that I am up 2 to 3 times every night .

Georgesgran Fri 12-Jun-26 21:26:50

I’m 75 and up in the night 2 or 3 times, despite drinking little during the day - maybe 4 or 5 cups of tea or coffee.
On holiday I’m fine, as I must be using what I take in, so no excess to get rid of.

MayBee70 Fri 12-Jun-26 21:49:01

I’ve been taking pumpkin and soya for months because they are the main ingredients in Jude but they don’t seem to have helped. I, too, can go for hours during the day but at night I’m up every two or so hours and it’s exhausting. I don’t think it’s always the amount of water that you drink but the way your liver processes food when you’re sleeping. What is weird ( and I wish I could remember them afterwards) is the way I incorporate my need for a wee in whatever dream I’m having, usually finding myself in a really embarrassing situation but then, thankfully, waking up.

Georgesgran Fri 12-Jun-26 22:18:22

Goodness, yes MayBee70. Let’s just be thankful we wake up to go!

Charleygirl5 Fri 12-Jun-26 23:12:12

For the last few years I was also up at least 3 times a night but no more. I can now sleep for 7 hours without a trip. I have lymphedema both legs and have wounds. I was started on " last resort antibiotics, Lenezolid and no longer do I traipse to the loo. I must have had a urinary tract infection without realising it.

Perhaps get that checked out?

Ashcombe Fri 12-Jun-26 23:18:35

My GP prescribed Oxybutynin to help me with a similar problem and it has reduced my nighttime comfort stops to one!

rubysong Fri 12-Jun-26 23:30:44

DH has Parkinsons and gets up frequently to go to the loo. I have to get up as well to help him back into bed. Most nights we see every hour on the clock throughout the night. I think other things, tremor, pain etc. wake him so he goes for a wee when he maybe doesn't need to. I think his bladder is training to be overactive.

NotSpaghetti Fri 12-Jun-26 23:40:10

Do you really need to go?
What happens if you don't?

Shinamae Fri 12-Jun-26 23:55:24

I had this problem until a few weeks ago when I was told that I was not drinking enough. (I knew this)
Apparently, if you do not drink enough, your urine becomes concentrated and irritates the bladder so I was advised to drink more which I have done and it’s turned out to be true. I hardly get up at night at all now…
I know it doesn’t seem to make sense, but it’s works for me..

MT62 Sat 13-Jun-26 00:16:25

HowVeryDareYou2

I have to wee 2 or 3 times during the night - I've got an overactive bladder and for years have been weeing 20-25 times in 24 hours! (the norm is 8 times). I've been on Solifenacin tablets for 3 weeks now, and "only" wee 14 times in 24 hours now.

You could always try Botox injections.
Found all those type of bladder drugs affect my eyes.

MT62 Sat 13-Jun-26 00:17:57

Georgesgran

Goodness, yes MayBee70. Let’s just be thankful we wake up to go!

😳

HowVeryDareYou2 Sat 13-Jun-26 08:10:26

MT62

HowVeryDareYou2

I have to wee 2 or 3 times during the night - I've got an overactive bladder and for years have been weeing 20-25 times in 24 hours! (the norm is 8 times). I've been on Solifenacin tablets for 3 weeks now, and "only" wee 14 times in 24 hours now.

You could always try Botox injections.
Found all those type of bladder drugs affect my eyes.

I'm waiting for a Urology appointment, so I'll ask. Thanks. I've put up with it for many years because the Urologist I saw 6 years ago was dismissive and said there's "no such thing as an overactive bladder"!

Casdon Sat 13-Jun-26 08:19:52

Shinamae

I had this problem until a few weeks ago when I was told that I was not drinking enough. (I knew this)
Apparently, if you do not drink enough, your urine becomes concentrated and irritates the bladder so I was advised to drink more which I have done and it’s turned out to be true. I hardly get up at night at all now…
I know it doesn’t seem to make sense, but it’s works for me..

I believe that’s true. My mum is in her late nineties and immobile. She doesn’t drink very much at all because she struggles to get up to use the commode, and it’s a vicious circle because although she doesn’t have an infection, she feels like she wants to go all the time.

Sago Sat 13-Jun-26 09:27:02

I had exactly this, I cut out all bladder irritants which were for me; caffeine, pineapples, strawberries, raw tomatoes and all citrus fruits.

It changed my life.

Franbern Sat 13-Jun-26 09:31:26

Not taking in enough fluid is more likely to cause night time problems with urine. So many older folk do not drink enough and this can and often does cause very many problems, including un-diagnosed UTI's which can lead to confusion and dementia like problems. Amazing how many older people being taken via A&E into hospital get put onto intravenious drips and very quickly appear to have cognitive improvement.
Bad sleep also causes night=time urinary problems. It is a known good aspect of people (of all ages) who are put onto CPAP report that their night-time trips to the loo reduces dramatically. This is due to the fact that the hormone which makes you feel you have a full bladder is controlled when in a proper deep sleep.
Under no circumstances cut back on the amount of fluid you are taking in.

yogitree Sat 13-Jun-26 09:36:24

I see a pelvic physio for this. I have tablets which are inserted via a thin tube to the vagina. '
"Estrogen loss (often from menopause) thins the tissue between the vagina and the bladder. These tablets restore the tissue. This stops sudden urges to pee and prevents urinary tract infections"
I also avoid citrus juice of all kinds and have found changing to decaf coffee has helped. I've managed to hold on to cooked tomatoes!! I'm also trying to 'retrain' my bladder with the help of my physio, so that I can hold longer.
Lots of good advice above, also if you have a bit of prolapse going on. Good luck!

MT62 Sat 13-Jun-26 09:48:34

Hi HVDY2. Oh yes please do ask about the Botox, or interstim therapy (bit like acupuncture in the nerve or the ankle).
My Gp phoned me up at home, told me to stop the microbegron? As it can affect the bp. They checked mine & it was sky high- never had a problem before.
Also, I’ve heard those type of drugs can contribute to getting dementia.
I have Botox once a year & it’s changed my life.
You can have it done under general, spinal, or no local.

Beauregard Sat 13-Jun-26 09:48:51

I find it's more about what I eat than what I drink. We eat dinner at about six o'clock and there are always lots of vegetables on my plate. I also sometimes snack on fruit during the evening. Cauliflower and broccoli in particular seem to make me need to go more during the night.

Unfortunately, the only time I ever go through the night without having to go to the loo is the rare occasion when we have pizza or Chinese food for dinner 🤷

MT62 Sat 13-Jun-26 09:49:37

Sago

I had exactly this, I cut out all bladder irritants which were for me; caffeine, pineapples, strawberries, raw tomatoes and all citrus fruits.

It changed my life.

I was also told blackcurrants/ juice etc.