It is not just children: bedwetting affects teenagers too

Davina Richardson

Children’s Specialist Nurse, Bladder and Bowel UK

First written about more than 3,000 years ago, bedwetting can occur at any age, is most common in children and is considered a medical condition from the fifth birthday. 

Bedwetting, also known as enuresis, is a medical condition where urine leaks during sleep. Over the millennia, thinking about possible causes and approaches to treatment has changed. However, there continues to be a lack of understanding of this common problem, with many assuming it will resolve spontaneously in early childhood. Although this is the case for some, bedwetting affects up to 3% of teenagers.¹ 

UK bedwetting stigma hinders support

British reluctance to talk about bodily functions means that bladder and bowel issues such as bedwetting remain taboo as a subject of conversation, with teenagers reporting embarrassment, anxiety, shame and frustration. Lack of understanding of the problem may also impact family relationships. These difficulties may make it seem difficult to ask for help. 

While bedwetting used to be considered a psychological problem, it is now known that physical issues cause it, although stress may have a role in bedwetting for some teenagers. The problem itself may increase stress and make psychological and mental health issues more likely. 

Potential causes and triggers of bedwetting

Bedwetting results from a combination of the brain’s inability to wake up to a bladder signal that it needs to empty; kidneys making more urine overnight than usual; and/or the bladder not being able to hold onto the urine that is made during the night.  There may be associated bladder problems during the day, such as having to get to the toilet quickly or more frequently than the usual four to seven times a day. Bedwetting can also be triggered or exacerbated by constipation. 

Although the brain does not wake the affected person directly, the bladder will tell you to wake up instead and disrupt your sleep. This will make you more tired and harder to wake up the next time the bladder needs to empty at night. Additionally, poorer sleep due to bedwetting may increase the difficulty of managing stress and coping with challenges during the day. Therefore, it is important for teenagers and their families to know that treatment is available. 

Treatment usually focuses on
the physical causes of bedwetting.

Finding the most suitable treatment option

Treatment usually focuses on the physical causes of bedwetting. Medication can be used for some to help reduce the amount of urine produced overnight. There is also medication that improves the ability of the bladder to hold onto the urine made while sleeping. Both need to be prescribed by a healthcare professional. 

An enuresis alarm may be an option. This works by making a noise as soon as urine starts to leak. By waking the individual at the correct time, the bladder learns to hold all the urine produced overnight, or the person learns to wake before the bladder empties. 

Some teenagers will need a combination of medication and an alarm. It is also important to remember that our bodies grow and develop during childhood and adolescence. Therefore, treatments that were unsuccessful before may be helpful or result in a cure if tried again during the teenage years. 

Bedwetting is common and a real condition

Bedwetting is not caused by a teenager or their family doing anything wrong. It is not the result of bad parenting, laziness or apathy. It is a common medical condition that can and should be treated by a healthcare professional. Many areas now have dedicated children’s bladder and bowel services that also provide assessment and treatment for teenagers with bedwetting.

Adolescence is difficult enough without having to deal with a hidden medical condition. Therefore, it is important to ask your school nurse or GP for help and onward referral. 

UK-URO-2500005

Date of preparation: 17/06/2025

[1] Bladder & Bowel UK. 2021. Bedwetting: the facts.