If you’re waking up repeatedly to urinate, it’s called nocturia. Getting up once during the night can be normal, particularly with age, but frequent nighttime urination can have several causes.
Common reasons
Drinking a lot of fluid in the evening, particularly tea, coffee, or alcohol.
Medications, especially diuretics (“water pills”).
An enlarged prostate in men, which can cause frequent or incomplete urination.
Overactive bladder or a urinary infection.
Diabetes, where excess blood glucose causes increased urine production.
Sleep apnea, which can increase nighttime urine production.
Leg swelling: Fluid that accumulates in the legs during the day can return to circulation when you lie down, increasing urine production overnight.
What you can try
Reduce large amounts of fluid for 2–4 hours before bedtime, while still getting enough fluid during the day.
Limit caffeine and alcohol later in the day.
Empty your bladder immediately before going to bed.
If your ankles or legs swell, elevating your legs for a period during the afternoon/evening may help some people.
Don’t stop prescribed medications without discussing timing or dosage with your clinician.
If you’re regularly getting up two or more times a night, especially if this is new or worsening, it’s worth discussing with a healthcare professional. They may check your urine, blood glucose, kidney function, medications, and—when appropriate—prostate or bladder function.
Seek prompt medical care if frequent urination comes with fever, severe pain, blood in the urine, vomiting, inability to urinate, or marked thirst/weakness.
