One in 50 teenagers still wet the bed

One in 50 teenagers still wet the bed and almost half of 19 year-olds who have the problem are wetting the bed every night, according to research published in the May issue of the urology journal BJUI International.

Professor Chung K Yeung from the Chinese University of Hong Kong teamed up with colleagues from the Prince of Wales Hospital to analyse the results of more than 16,500 questionnaires surveying children aged from five to 19.

He hopes that his findings will reassure parents of children with mild bed wetting problems, but stress the importance of seeking advice in severe cases, which can often be caused by underlying medical problems and continue into adulthood.

512 children – just over three per cent of those surveyed – reported night-time bedwetting and one in five of those also had daytime incontinence. 302 were boys and 210 were girls.

The researchers found that although bed wetting was less common as children got older, the percentage reporting severe problems increased with age.

Children and adolescents who wet the bed at night also showed a similar pattern when it came to daytime incontinence, with a higher percentage of problems reported in older age groups.

When the researchers looked in detail at the 512 children with bed wetting problems they found that:

* Mild bed wetting was much worse among younger children, with 58 per cent of five to ten year-olds and 18 per cent of 11-19 year-olds wetting the bed less than three times a week.

* But older children reported a higher level of severe problems, with 82 per cent of 11-19 year-olds wetting the bed more than three times a week, compared with 42 per cent of five to ten year-olds.

* Just over 16 per cent of five year-olds wet the bed, with boys (21 per cent) having almost twice as many problems as girls (11 per cent).

* By the age of 19, three per cent of boys and two per cent of girls were still wetting the bed.

* Just under a third of 11-19 year-old boys (32 per cent) also experienced daytime incontinence, almost double the 15 per cent recorded in the under ten age group.

* The figures for girls were lower but showed a similar trend, at 25.5 per cent for 11-19 year-olds and 12 per cent for girls under ten.

* Overall, 29 per cent of children aged 11-19 experienced daytime incontinence, compared with 14 cent of under tens.

“Bed wetting showed a general reduction as children got older” says Professor Yeung, who is also President of the International Children’s Continence Society. “However, this reduction was much greater in those with mild symptoms who wet the bed three or less times a week, compared to those with severe problems who were wetting the bed every night.

“Just over 14 per cent of five year-olds who wet the bed did so seven nights a week. By the age of 19, severe bed wetting accounted for over 48 per cent of teenagers who were still wetting the bed.”

21,000 questionnaires were distributed to 67 schools, with a greater emphasis on children over ten, and just under 79 per cent were returned by parents and children.

The average age of respondents was just under 14 and the largest number of responses were from teenagers aged 16-18. 24 per cent of the questionnaires concerned children under ten.

“Our findings challenge the myth that bedwetting will always get better and disappear as the child gets older” says Professor Yeung.

“In 2004 we published findings of a previous study in BJU International that showed that adults showed no significant decrease in bed wetting problems from the age of 10 to 40.

“These latest findings underline the importance of seeking help for children with severe bed wetting problems, especially if they continue into adolescence. If these individuals are left untreated, the evidence suggests that they will continue to experience ongoing problems when they become adults.”

From Blackwell Publishing


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653 thoughts on “One in 50 teenagers still wet the bed”

  1. i just turned 15 and i wet the bed. My aunt wetted the bed until she was 15 also. but i want it to stop like everyone who has this problem does. Now, every one tells me, it will stop when it does, dont drink past seven at night, and go to the bathroom before you go to bed. i did all this. i still wet the bed. my doctors even did blood tests to see if something was wrong but nothing is wrong. i dont agree with that though. Now, i am on this medicine that is a nasal spray and it is supposed to help stop the urge to pee at night. But it doesnt work all that good. and i have been on it for a year now. i used to think that when it did work and i wouldnt wet the bed for a week, i thought that i am done wetting the bed. but no, i just do it again. When i ask my mom to take me to the doctors she ignores me. I am angy, depressed and confused by this bed wetting thing. I JUST WANT IT TO GO AWAY. i mean i want a normal life. i want to be able to have sleep overs, go to sleep overs, drink at night, not worry about taking medicine, and when i get older i want to be able to have a boyfriend stay in the same bed as me. You know, i just want to be normal

  2. I’m 18 year old girl and still into the prob of bed wetting. this is so frustrating. i peed in my bed today. last time it was 26th November when i peed. it really worries me a lot… i just don’t know what to do. I’m fed up with myself. this is my last year in school and i really don’t know what would i do if i have to go out to study. i always had the problem of bed wetting but eventually it stopped an year ago. i was so relaxed. but since October, the problem has cropped up again and i don’t see any ray of hope. I am now afraid if this continues, then I’ll spoil the life of my boyfriend as well, So I’m thinking to have a breakup with him as i love him a lot and don’t want him to get into any sort of trouble. life is really miserable for me…. my parents have tried all sorts of medications but nothing has ever worked with me… is there anyone who can help me…PLZZZ

    • Have you tried talking to him? I’m 21 and I still wet the bed almost 5 times a week still. When i decided to tell my boyfriend I tried to emphasize that it is something that i cant control. He was so understanding and has been so great with accepting it. If he loves you, like you love him, then he should be willing to overlook your bedwetting. Good Luck!

    • Hey any 18 year olds out there that are still wetting the bed don;t worry you can get over wetting the bed over time but for now just stay positive in your mind that bed wetting is only temporary and that it probably won’t last forever but until it goes away just remeber that you can conquer the problem with wetting the bed it will just take some time. BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU.

      Sincerly,
      Michelle Coleman from Florida.

  3. Hi, I’m 17 and I have been a bedwetter all my life. This problem sucks, andI hate that. This makes me so frustrated, so mad. I don’t know what to do anymore and I really want it to stop. I mean, if this continues, what am I going to do when I get married or go to college? I’m tired. I don’t have anyone to talk with, and it terrifies me to think what will happen if someone finds out. It sometimes occurs during the day, like not full on pee myself, but I can’t hold it in, I just can’t. And it hurts when I go to pee. It doesn’t happen every night. It happens every now and then, but when it happens it’s terrible. I really just want it to stop. Help?

    • Luisa, DONT let this problem control you. It is something that you CANT control. I have been a bedwetter my entire life and I know how much it sucks. Trust me, it gets me down a lot and i hate the fact that I am 21 and need diapers at night but you have to stay positive. For most bedwetters, you will eventually get dry! Just gotta keep living your life and not let it get the best of you. Good Luck!

  4. i am 14 years old nd i 2 wet the bed…my cousin is 16 nd she wets the bed 2..when i asked my doctor he sent me to this nocturnal enuresis,she tld me tht it has to do with my family nd tht i got it from my dad’s side, and she also put me on these pills that kept me from wetting the bed for about 3 weeks however i still went the bed on occasions. nd i havent went there for some times now nd i ‘ve been wetting the bed all over again..people just dont get how frustrating it is…i mean my parents think that i do it on purpose!!!!

  5. I was a teen boy bedwetter and I had to wear 12ply thick cotten shorts just made for me covered by playtex rubber pants. On week ends the cotten shorts covered by super size tower plastic pants two pairs 24/7. My plastic pants would be about four center meters above my jeans for a good view to make sure I was wearing the plastic pants. At home a short tee shirt and up town a long tee shirt to cover the view of the plastic pants.Tiger makes the new step-in blue plastic pants with the many ply boys tiger shorts. For boys and men it is about time the old system has come back to life. It has been to long that bedwetter parents could not put their children back into many ply shorts and plastic pants.There are nice pictures of teen boys wearing plastic pants so have a good look you are not the only one. Put them on get on with living I did wear plastic pants and pin on thick cotten diapers at times. My grand boys wear the all in one plastic diaper. I am going to order the tiger blue step-ins plastic pants as covers to wear over their all in one diaper. My girl will be happy for it will be me making the boys wear plastic pants as covers. I did get out the playtex rubber I wore when I was a boy but the pants are too old cracked. Sure would be nice to have playtex on them.

    Bedwetters had to wear plastic pants 24/7 on week ends that was the rule.

    • It will be hard to find useable playtex pants, the latex ones. But if you go to myprotex.com there are a lot of similar products. They may have some in small sizes. Another source is kalesenterprises.com. He is a canadian. His site is a little confusing but he is a good guy and much less expensive for the same quality as myprotex. He also make very good custom sized pants and is cheap and reliable. Hope this helps.

  6. Hey all, I know what you’re goin through. I’m 14 too, go figure, and I wet the bed alot. like.. A LOTTT. Idk what to do about it anymore its just embarassing. any tips maybe? im 15 in 2 months and the whole, dont drink before you go to bed doesnt work :[ please help ! thanks

    • hey jordan bed wetting shouldn’t be anything that you should be embarrassed about it just that your bladder probably just can’t hold alot of urine during the night thats all.

      From a personal experience that I’ve had with bed wetting when i was growing up was that i thought that i was going to be stuck with it forever but eventually i got over it and you can to all you have to do is stay positive and keep telling yourself that you can conquer with bed wetting. it might take some time but once you get over with wetting the bed than you will feel 100 percent better knowing that you conquered bed wetting forever.

      Jordan I really hope that this helps.
      JUST REMEBER TO STAY POSTIVE THAT YOU CAN GET OVER THE FEAR OF WETTING THE BED.
      BEST WISHES WITH LOTS OF LUCK
      MICHELLE COLEMAN FROM FLORIDA.

  7. Ineed help! i am 14 and not a bedwetter,but i do get excited easily and either have an accident or come close to it,for the last three years i have come very to wetting my pants on christmas eve and day due to being excited.I was told by my mom that this year i have to wear a cloth diaper and rubber pants under my holiday dress for christmas eve and day and that i also have to wear them to bed on christmas eve.i dont want to wear the diaper and rubber pants,what else can i do?

    • I have years of experience in bed wetting are you going to use velcro or pins for your cloth diapers. I personally use velcro because of the pins getting rusty from being urinated on frequently.

    • Yes Becca, you need help at Christmas time which your mother will give you by dressing you in diapers and a rubber panty to keep your bed dry at night and protect your party dress during the day. Lots of children your age still don’t have total control over wetting and need to wear diapers and rubber panties. Your rubber baby panty will be seen under your short little dress so ask your mom if she would be willing to put a frilly rubber panty over your plain baby panty to match your dressy white ankle socks. This will help you feel a little more grown-up without sacrificing the protection of diapers and baby pants. You are still not too old to get a spanking for disobedience, but this shouldn’t be necessary if you lie still and don’t make a fuss while Mom puts on your dressy rubber panty.

      • You are nuts, these kids are looking for a mature adult or compassionate person whose experienced this for an answer. Your response is totally innappropriate to the tune of psychotic. You need major mental help, see a psychiatrist and get a life already!

      • Dear Miss Jean,
        You are so right. I am eighteen 5′ 5″ and 138 lbs and still need diapers at night. I was sooo glad last year my mom put diapers and baby panties on me on Christmas Eve and Christmas. She was right I needed them. It is very exciting and fun time I was surprised at the times mom checked and I was soaked and did not know it. Moms just know these things. The only embarssing time for me was dinner, Oh I forgot I was in a white nice dress shirt red valour or suede bowtie. Red shorts with shoulder straps that crossed my shoulders and snapped in the back and plastic lined and had hidden snaps in the legs. Cloth diapers and plastic panties with blocks and toys blue and pink on a white background white socks and white shoes. The shorts same material as bowtie. My embarasing moment was there was no room for me at the big table or the kids table. Since my auntie who’s house we were at knew I was in diapers she had a high chair for me to sit in. I did not what to sit there and said no no no. I sat when my auntie swatted my bare leg. My chair was behind my mom so I was happy. Also for people like me I am not dry if I fall sleep during the day. Another reason my mom wanted me in diapers. Because I did fall asleep both days and I would be soo ambarassed waking up in a puddle at someone else’s house. My mom knows when to check me and what will be best for Bobby. You are a good mom too I can tell you know what is best for children.
        Lots of hugs and kisses
        Bobby

      • Hi Misses Jean,
        You are so right just like my mom you know what is best for children. I am Bobby am 5′ 5″ 138 LBS and am18 and still wear diapers every night. Need diapers and baby panties every night. Last Christmas my mom also told me I would wear diapers during the day on the Eve and the day of Christmas and with all the excitement it would less ambarassing for me in diapers. My outfit for Christmas is red valor shorts with straps the go over my shoulders and snap in the back the straps cross in the back they are plastic lined with hidden snaps. White shirt nice dress shirt and red bowtie white socks white saddle shoes and cloth diapers with baby panties that have blocks and all kinds of toys in blue pink and yellow on white background. I was glad my mom was right. cause I have accidents when I fall a sleep during the day (naptime) which I did. The only source of ambarrassment came at my aunties house for dinner. There was no room at the grown up table and I might have fit at the kids table. However she knew I was in diapers and had several wooden high chairs that are larger then baby’s. She wanted me in one of the chairs and I fussed and told her no no. She swatted my bare leg several times and I sat. I was behind my mom’s chair so I was fine. Good mom’s are smart moms that knows what best for the child like you. I will be diapered during the day this year too. It is just to exicting for children last year I was suroprised when mom told me i was wet.
        hugs and kisses
        Bobby

    • hey i stopped when i was nine years old i was not aloud to have a person to sleep round so if you tell your self that you are going to wet the bed YOU ARE GOING TO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and if you tell your self no to you wont so

      GOOOOOOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Hi Becca,As this is more excitement caused,I would ask your mom if you could wear thicker cotton panties and go along with the plastic panties just in case,You will find they are not uncomfortable at all,and if you are able to let only a small amount at a time out,you can dry yourself and the panties fairly fast,without anyone finding out.
      Hope this helps.

  8. im now 14 years old ive been on n off bed wetting ince iwas 9. even when i go to the bathroom every night rite b4 bed it still happens. why is they? because im big, have a small bladder wt help me. my parents are making me feel so bad about it i think about suicide frequently. plz help b4 i go that far!

    • “my parents are making me feel so bad about it i think about suicide frequently.”

      You need to speak with a counselor at school about learning how to deal with parental guilt trips. Maybe they can get you to a mental health professional who can help. There’s absolutely no need for you to reveal to the counselor that bed wetting is the problem.

      Guilt is an evil emotion which serves no purpose other than to manipulate people. Try not to let your dumbass parents use it against you.

    • Please don’t consider suicide, ever. It is never the answer to your problems, which will get better. I think you should see a doctor, both for the bed-wetting and for your thoughts of suicide. If you cannot, then I recommend setting an alarm clock to go off every 1-2 hours at night (adjust the frequency depending on your needs), and using the restroom whenever it wakes you up.

      Best of luck

  9. I was invited to a sleepover with 6 other friends. I was so excited that I was invited to my first sleepover I totally forgot that I’m a nightly bed wetter. It was time to go to bed and I had to share the bed with 3 other guys. I totally soaked the bed that night, everyone in the bed with me got soaking wet. I told the guy that slept next to me that he shouldve worn some Depends Diapers in front of everyone at the sleepover. So all my friends think that it was him that wet the bed. Was this the right thing to do? I didnt want my friends to know that it was me. I am 16 if that helps.

  12. I went like a month or two without wetting the bed and I just did last night even though I go to the bathroom every night and it still happend I don’t know way to do anymore some one help

  13. I am 15 and I started wetting my bed right after my 10th birthday.Next year I’ll be 16 and I don’t want to be humiliated in front of my family and friends.I mean somehow the truth will be unfolded and i don’t know how to stop.
    Please help me! I really want to stop.

  14. i am 14 and a bedwetter.i wear a thick cloth diaper to bed every night and it is pinned on me with regular diaper pins.i dont like the diaper pins and have asked my mom to get velcro and sew it on all of my diapers to make them fasten on easier and not have to worry about the pins rusting or getting lost.she tells me that the cloth diapers,diaper pins and rubber pants are the standard for bedwetting and that the pins have been used with cloth diapers for many years.i have had pins come unsnapped while i was sleeping and poke thru my rubber pants and cause them to rip.how can i convince my mom to use velcro on my diapers?

    • there is a product out there for fastening diapers without pins. Its called a “snappi fastener” just google it using google images and you’ll see it. Never used it but some say it works well.

  15. I never used to wet the bed until i hit 11 now im 13 i have it conntrolled for a week maybe half a week but then i loose control i cant go to sleepovers with my friends and they cant step foot iin my bedroom unless i air for long because i dont want them to smell the wee. I feel like my mum and dad are ashamed of me espescially my dad. Can someone help please!

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  18. i am 16 and i still wet the bed but i stopped wetting the bed for almost 3 weeks then i started wetting again
    and when i go to a friends place to stay the night i get worried about wetting the bed and when i do i feel ashamed and depressed

    i really want to stop so i can go to my friens place to stay the night or sleepovers at a party please help me

    P.S i REALLY want to stop

  19. im 13 & i wet the bed 4-6 times a week
    7 now im going with my friends somewhere & i have to sleep with his younger brother what do i do PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  20. I am 16 and just started wetting the bed at night. For a problem that has never accured befor sure became an everynight problem.
    how long will this continue to happen for.

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