6 Tips to Cope With Overactive Bladder at Night

If you have overactive bladder, you may experience the sudden urge to urinate, or you may find yourself needing to go to the bathroom many times each day or night. It’s inconvenient, but it’s very common: As many as 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women in the United States live with these symptoms at some point in their lives.

The need to wake up at night to go to the bathroom is called nocturia. Nocturia, and frequent urination, can be caused by overactive bladder, but also may be due to other medical conditions. You should record a diary of your symptoms and review this with your doctor to clarify your diagnosis.  

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to practicing medicine, she worked as a management consultant.

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