Waking Up Frequently to Urinate at Night
Waking up to urinate is called nocturia. It becomes more common with age, but repeatedly waking during the night can sometimes signal an underlying problem.
Common causes
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Drinking a lot of fluids close to bedtime
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Caffeine or alcohol, particularly in the evening
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Enlarged prostate in men
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Overactive bladder
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Urinary tract infection, especially with burning or urgency
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Diabetes, which can cause increased thirst and urine production
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Sleep apnea
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Certain medications, particularly diuretics (“water pills”)
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Swollen legs or ankles—fluid accumulated during the day can return to circulation when you lie down and increase urine production overnight
Things that may help
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Drink normally during the day but reduce large amounts of fluid in the 2–4 hours before bed.
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Limit evening coffee, tea, cola, and alcohol.
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Empty your bladder before going to sleep.
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If your legs swell, ask a clinician whether leg elevation or compression is appropriate.
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If you take a diuretic, ask your doctor whether its timing should be adjusted—don’t change the dose yourself.
When to see a doctor
If you’re regularly waking two or more times every night, particularly if this is new or disrupting your sleep, it’s worth getting evaluated.
Seek prompt medical attention for blood in the urine, fever, painful urination, inability to urinate, severe back/side pain, or a sudden major change in urine output.
A 2–3 day bladder diary recording your fluid intake, urination times, and approximate urine amounts can help a clinician identify the cause.
