Is there a link between menopause and frequent urination at night?

On average, 21% of early-menopausal people experience an overactive bladder, usually with night-time urination (nocturia) compared to 17% of their younger counterparts.1 As such, it’s no wonder that many people over 40 wonder, ‘is there a link between menopause and frequent urination at night?’. We’ve gathered the facts on the connection between these two issues, as well as our top tips for managing nocturia during menopause.

What counts as frequent urination at night?

While often discussed together, frequent urination and urinary incontinence aren’t the same.2 Frequent urination is defined as the need to urinate more than you normally would.3 While the amount you wee obviously varies from person to person, experts generally agree that needing to wee more than eight times in 24 hours counts as frequent urination4. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • urinary tract infections
  • underlying medical conditions
  • changes to the bladder muscles
  • diuretic medicines or beverages (ones that make you need to wee).5
What is my ideal solution?

However, many menopausal people without these factors notice that they need to urinate frequently at night, leading them to ask…

What is the connection between menopause and frequent urination at night?

Menopause at night

It’s very common to have more urgency to go when you’re going through menopause6; in fact, two-thirds of people over 40 years old wake up at least once in the night due to a full bladder7. But what’s the link between menopause and frequently urinating at night? At this time, there are lots of changes within your body that can lead to more frequent urination, especially at night-time:

  • the tissues in your vagina and urethra lose elasticity,and their linings become thinner
  • your pelvic floor muscles weaken
  • an increased risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI) due to lower levels of the hormone oestrogen8
  • changes in your vagina due to having experienced certain life phases, such as pregnancy
  • nerve damage from previous diseases or injury9
  • changes to the microbiota (composition of microorganisms) in your urinary tract10.

How to manage frequent urination at night during the menopause

While we recommend speaking to your doctor if you are concerned about changes in your urination, there are certain things you can do at home to manage these symptoms:

  • practice pelvic floor exercises to tighten your muscles
  • avoid caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea and fizzy drinks, and alcohol, as these are diuretics
  • maintain a healthy weight, as being overweight can put pressure on your bladder11
  • keep hydrated during the day, but limit your fluid intake close to bedtime12
  • see a doctor if you have a burning sensation when you wee, as this might be a sign of a UTI13
  • try absorbent pants to protect against leaks. The iD Classic Pants range is ideal for this, as these continence products are discreet and dermatologist approved
  • speak to your healthcare provider about treatments to increase oestrogen levels as this can alleviate symptoms14.

If you’re still looking for the ideal solution for your frequent night-time urination, why not try iD Adult Pants? This discreet range is made of breathable material with odour control to keep you feeling fresh all night.

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Sources

1 “Postmenopausal overactive bladder”, Jacek Tomaszewski, 30 December 2014, Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4352916/
2 “Frequent urination in women: 12 causes and how to get help”, HealthPartners, n.d., Source: https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/frequent-urination-in-women-12-causes-and-how-to-get-help/
3 “Understanding Frequent Urination”, Christine Cristiano, 8 February 2022, Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder/frequent-urination-women
4 “What is Overactive Bladder (OAB)?”, Urology Care Foundation, n.d., Source: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/o/overactive-bladder-(oab)
5 “Frequent urination”, Mayo Clinic, 11 August 2020, Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/frequent-urination/basics/causes/sym-20050712
6 “Menopause and Bladder Control Management”, WebMD, n.d., Source: https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/womens-guide/bladder-control-menopause
7 “Full bladder wakes 2 in 3 women at night”, Howard E. LeWine, 15 June 2020, Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/full-bladder-wakes-2-3-women-night-201412127585
8 “What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Menopause?”, Lisa Cappelloni, 14 May 2018, Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/symptoms-signs
9 “How Does Menopause Affect OAB?”, Ann Pietrangelo, 1 August 2018, Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/overactive-bladder-menopause
10 “Pre- and postmenopausal women have different core urinary microbiota”, Nadia Ammitzbøll et al., 26 January 2021, Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81790-8
11 “Menopause and Bladder Control Management”, WebMD, n.d., Source: https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/womens-guide/bladder-control-menopause
12 “Full bladder wakes 2 in 3 women at night”, Howard E. LeWine, 15 June 2020, Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/full-bladder-wakes-2-3-women-night-201412127585
13 “What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Menopause?”, Lisa Cappelloni, 14 May 2018, Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/symptoms-signs
14 “6 things to know about the menopause”, Age UK, 20 April 2021, Source: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/6-things-to-know-about-the-menopause/