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Categories
Health
Urinary System Health
Urinary Tract Infections
How to Sleep with UTI Urgency Download ArticleExplore this Article methods 1 Managing the Symptoms of Nighttime UTI Urgency 2 Dealing with Nighttime Incontinence Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and Megaera Lorenz, PhD
Last Updated: February 5, 2025 Fact Checked
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This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 237,325 times.
Urinary tract infections can cause a variety of stressful and uncomfortable symptoms. Unfortunately, one of these is urinary urgency that can keep you awake at night—the last thing you need when you're trying to rest and recover! The best way to deal with nighttime urinary urgency is to treat the underlying infection. You can also use medications and home remedies to manage your symptoms and help you sleep. If nighttime incontinence is keeping you up, use pads to keep your bedsheets dry and talk to your doctor about medications that can help.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Managing the Symptoms of Nighttime UTI Urgency
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1 Restrict your fluid intake in the evening. Drinking too much right before bed can increase your urge to urinate during the night. If you can, try to restrict your fluid intake in the hours between dinner and when you go to bed—especially fluids that might aggravate your bladder, such as caffeinated beverages or alcohol.[1]X Trustworthy Source Cleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Note: Staying hydrated is important when you have a UTI, so try not to restrict your overall fluid intake. Instead, work on getting your fluids earlier in the day.[2]XResearch source
2 Avoid foods and drinks that might irritate your bladder. When your urinary tract is inflamed, it's important to avoid foods and beverages that can aggravate the problem. You may be able to help keep your urinary urgency under control by limiting or cutting out the following foods and drinks, especially shortly before bed:
Caffeinated and carbonated beverages
Alcohol
Acidic fruits (especially citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits) and juices
Tomatoes and tomato products
Spicy foods
Chocolate
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3 Take a sitz bath right before bed to relieve discomfort. Run a warm bath and add plain, fragrance-free Epsom salt, if you like. Then, soak for about 15-20 minutes just before bed. This should help with your pain and discomfort.[3]XResearch source
Don't use items like bath bombs, bubble bath, or scented bath salts. These products can make your UTI worse.
4 Soothe nighttime pain with a hot water bottle. If bladder pain is keeping you up at night, try sleeping with a hot water bottle against your lower abdomen.[4]XResearch source Wrap the hot water bottle in a towel to keep it from scalding or burning your skin.
While heating pads are a good option for daytime pain relief, it is dangerous to use them while you are sleeping. An unattended heating pad could cause skin burns or even an electrical fire.
Ask your doctor if you can safely use over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) for additional nighttime pain relief.
5 See your doctor to treat the underlying UTI. Proper medical treatment can bring quick relief from your UTI symptoms, including nighttime urinary urgency. If you think you have a UTI, call your doctor or go to an urgent care clinic right away. They will take a sample of your urine to confirm or rule out an infection. Take any antibiotics or other medications as prescribed by your doctor.[5]XResearch source
Depending on the type and severity of your infection, you may need to take antibiotics for a week or more. You will likely begin to feel better within a few days of starting a course of antibiotics, however.
Don't stop taking your antibiotics before completing the full prescribed course, even if you feel better. Doing so may cause the infection to return or get worse.
6 Ask your doctor about medications to relieve bladder spasms. Let your doctor know that your infection is causing urinary urgency that keeps you awake at night. They may be able to prescribe a medication that can relieve the feelings of pain and urgency that are disrupting your sleep.[6]X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Ask your doctor about taking over-the-counter medications like phenazopyridine or Azo-Standard, which can help relieve bladder spasms, urgency and pain.[7]XResearch source These medications have few side effects and work for most people, but they will turn your urine red or orange.
Be aware that, while these medications may relieve your symptoms, they will not treat the underlying infection.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Dealing with Nighttime Incontinence
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1 Try double voiding to completely empty your bladder before bed. A UTI can make it difficult for you to empty your bladder all the way, leading to frustration, frequent bathroom trips, and nighttime leaks. Right before you go to bed, sit on the toilet and empty your bladder as much as possible. Remain on the toilet for 30 seconds to a few minutes when you're done, then try again.[8]X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
As you're sitting on the toilet, lean forward slightly and rest your hands on your thighs or knees. Sitting in this position can help you empty your bladder more completely.
2 Take scheduled nighttime bathroom breaks. Set an alarm to wake you up every 2-4 hours so you can urinate. This will help keep your bladder from becoming overly full, making it less likely that you will wake up with a wet bed or a frantic urge to go.[9]XResearch source
Try setting the alarm to go off at different times each night. This way, you won't inadvertently train your bladder to wake you up at specific times to pee.[10]XResearch source
3 Wear a pad at night to avoid soaking your bedclothes. If your UTI causes your bladder to leak at night, having to strip and change your bedclothes can be very disruptive to your sleep. Try wearing an incontinence pad to keep accidents contained and easier to deal with quickly.[11]XResearch source
Absorbent briefs are another good option. These special undergarments are fitted to prevent leaks.
It's best to wear clean cotton underwear, which are breathable.
4 Ask your doctor about medications to control incontinence. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe a medication to keep nighttime incontinence under control while your UTI heals. Talk to your doctor about what medication(s) might work best for you.[12]XResearch source
Common options include anticholinergics, bladder-relaxing medications such as mirabegron, and alpha blockers.
Ask your doctor about fesoterodine, a medication that has been shown to improve both nighttime incontinence problems and overall sleep quality.[13]XResearch source
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Tips
If urinary urgency at night is preventing you from getting the rest you need, take afternoon naps if you can. Getting extra rest can help your body fight the infection and heal faster.[14]X Trustworthy Source Cleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Consume a lot of fluids early during the day to help flush bacteria out of your system and heal your infection faster. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
Relieve your bladder as soon as you feel the urge to go, as holding your urine will make your symptoms worse and make the healing process take longer. Additionally, make sure you urinate right after you have sex, if you do. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings
See your doctor if your symptoms aren't improving after 3 days of self care. You may need additional treatment. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
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Co-authored by: Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 237,325 times. 58 votes - 86% Co-authors: 8Updated: February 5, 2025 Views: 237,325 Categories: Urinary Tract Infections
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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Article SummaryX
To sleep with UTI urgency, try to limit how much you drink in the evening so you're less likely to have to go to the bathroom. Also, avoid foods and drinks that can make UTI urgency worse, like caffeinated and carbonated beverages, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, and chocolate. You can also try sitting on the toilet for a few minutes before bed to empty your bladder all the way so it's not full throughout the night. To learn how to use medications to alleviate UTI urgency, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Co-authors: 8Updated: February 5, 2025 Views: 237,32586% of readers found this article helpful. 58 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote 86% of people told us that this article helped them.
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Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Managing the Symptoms of Nighttime UTI Urgency 2 Dealing with Nighttime Incontinence Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and Megaera Lorenz, PhD 
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Co-authored by: Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 237,325 times. 58 votes - 86% Co-authors: 8 Updated: February 5, 2025 Views: 237,325 Categories: Urinary Tract Infections 
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1 Restrict your fluid intake in the evening. Drinking too much right before bed can increase your urge to urinate during the night. If you can, try to restrict your fluid intake in the hours between dinner and when you go to bed—especially fluids that might aggravate your bladder, such as caffeinated beverages or alcohol.[1] 
2 Avoid foods and drinks that might irritate your bladder. When your urinary tract is inflamed, it's important to avoid foods and beverages that can aggravate the problem. You may be able to help keep your urinary urgency under control by limiting or cutting out the following foods and drinks, especially shortly before bed: 
3 Take a sitz bath right before bed to relieve discomfort. Run a warm bath and add plain, fragrance-free Epsom salt, if you like. Then, soak for about 15-20 minutes just before bed. This should help with your pain and discomfort.[3] 
4 Soothe nighttime pain with a hot water bottle. If bladder pain is keeping you up at night, try sleeping with a hot water bottle against your lower abdomen.[4] Wrap the hot water bottle in a towel to keep it from scalding or burning your skin. 
5 See your doctor to treat the underlying UTI. Proper medical treatment can bring quick relief from your UTI symptoms, including nighttime urinary urgency. If you think you have a UTI, call your doctor or go to an urgent care clinic right away. They will take a sample of your urine to confirm or rule out an infection. Take any antibiotics or other medications as prescribed by your doctor.[5] 
6 Ask your doctor about medications to relieve bladder spasms. Let your doctor know that your infection is causing urinary urgency that keeps you awake at night. They may be able to prescribe a medication that can relieve the feelings of pain and urgency that are disrupting your sleep.[6] 
1 Try double voiding to completely empty your bladder before bed. A UTI can make it difficult for you to empty your bladder all the way, leading to frustration, frequent bathroom trips, and nighttime leaks. Right before you go to bed, sit on the toilet and empty your bladder as much as possible. Remain on the toilet for 30 seconds to a few minutes when you're done, then try again.[8] 
2 Take scheduled nighttime bathroom breaks. Set an alarm to wake you up every 2-4 hours so you can urinate. This will help keep your bladder from becoming overly full, making it less likely that you will wake up with a wet bed or a frantic urge to go.[9] 
3 Wear a pad at night to avoid soaking your bedclothes. If your UTI causes your bladder to leak at night, having to strip and change your bedclothes can be very disruptive to your sleep. Try wearing an incontinence pad to keep accidents contained and easier to deal with quickly.[11] 
4 Ask your doctor about medications to control incontinence. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe a medication to keep nighttime incontinence under control while your UTI heals. Talk to your doctor about what medication(s) might work best for you.[12] 
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