Waking up to use the bathroom once in a while is normal.
But if you’re getting up two, three, or even more times a night to pee, you’re not just losing sleep — you might be dealing with a condition called nocturia.

Far more than just a bathroom inconvenience, frequent nighttime urination can disrupt your sleep, drain your energy, and even signal an underlying health issue.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about nocturia — what causes it, when to be concerned, and what you can do about it.

What Is Nocturia?
Nocturia is the medical term for waking up at night specifically to urinate.
While one trip might be normal, waking up two or more times per night is considered clinically significant and can impact your quality of life.

It’s especially common in older adults — over 50% of people over 60 experience it — but it’s not a normal part of aging. It’s a symptom that deserves attention.

❗️Not the same as bedwetting (enuresis):
Nocturia means you wake up because you need to pee.
Enuresis is involuntary urination during sleep.

Why Do We Pee at Night? Common Causes
Your body usually produces less urine at night, allowing for uninterrupted sleep. But in nocturia, this balance is disrupted. Here’s why:

1. Aging & Hormonal Changes
As we age, the body produces less antidiuretic hormone (ADH) — the hormone that tells your kidneys to concentrate urine and reduce output at night.
Result? More urine is made while you’re sleeping.

Additionally, bladder capacity decreases with age due to weakened muscles or overactivity.

2. Excess Fluid Intake — Especially Before Bed
Drinking large amounts of fluids in the evening — particularly:

Alcohol
Caffeine (coffee, tea, soda)
Diuretic beverages (like herbal teas)
…can increase nighttime urine production.

3. Medications
Some medications, especially diuretics (“water pills”) used for high blood pressure or heart conditions, are taken in the evening — leading to increased urination at night.