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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

New Partner Wet the Bed

1000 replies

NewManIssue · 15/04/2025 21:55

That’s it, basically.

I met someone about a month ago and it has been fantastic really good fun no issues at all, we’ve done absolutely loads together, met friends of each other and an adult child, and have lots of planned.

He came over yesterday afternoon because we were both off work and we went out for a walk had a few drinks. He made us some food. We had a few more drinks and we were both pretty drunk, I will admit.

The morning when I went over to give him a hug as the alarm was about to go off the bed was soaking, I presumed with sweat…no particular smell at this stage.

I left my bed open to air with a view to stripping the sheets after work, however when I went back in there the whole room reeked of urine and there was a huge stain and it has gone through my mattress topper and my mattress is still soaking wet as are the pillows.

I’ve never experienced this before, Although I know it can be something some men do when they are drunk…

I feel like it’s something I need to speak to him face-to-face about which I could probably do tomorrow when he finishes work at about 9:30pm but otherwise I’m unlikely to see him for a few days.

I feel a little awkward. I don’t want him embarrass him however surely it’s not the first time even if this is the first time with me since I’ve known him.

It’s not a dealbreaker initially, however if it’s a regular thing, it’s definitely a dealbreaker. I think I’m just gonna have to say, I had to sleep on the sofa tonight…the bed was still wet and it wasn’t sweat - which we initially assumed…

If anyone can give me any advice or have experienced this, please shout!

Bloody typical it has been going amazingly well, For the first time in my life, I’m with a man who is more keen on me than I am him (guards up still 🤣)

OP posts:
goldenretrieverenergy · 17/04/2025 09:45

Alasar · 17/04/2025 09:40

Lol this thread reminds me of a long time ago when my husband came home after being with his mates all day and basically shat himself in front of me and puked everywhere. I had to put him in the shower. He makes out he was spiked. Could have been could have also just drank too much. He hasn't done anything like that since and the story has now become a legend. So glad i didnt leave him over it 😉Well done OP for taking the high road with this and to himself for replacing mattress etc. I hope it all works out for you guys.

That’s not the same at all. You knew your DH got unwell and he didn’t hide it.

LeaderBee · 17/04/2025 09:47

Oh man, at least he didn't poo the bed, I did that with with my ex, although it was my bed, and we had been together for two years! I thought it was a fart, honest!

Kayakerpaddleboarder · 17/04/2025 09:47

I think you were absolutely right to give him another chance. He's reacted in exactly the manner that he should. Take no notice of the nay sayers on here. It's your life and we're a bunch of strangers that are not privvy to the ins and outs of your new relationship. Trust your gut feeling. If everything else is great then this can be overcome. Many on this forum throw the LTB about so easily. When in reality they would do the opposite of their own advice. If it happens again, he has to wear adult Pampers to bed!😉

laundryhamper · 17/04/2025 09:48

@NewManIssue
Bit late to the party here but well done on tackling it.
Re the mattress - before I bought a waterproof mattress protector for my son, he once wet his mattress. I actually had really good results with a combo of washing up liquid and bicarbonate of soda, and then leaving it outside in the sun all day.

Even if you have already given up on the old mattress, it might be an idea to buy a protector!

SquirrelMadness · 17/04/2025 09:51

NessieDoesExistYes · 17/04/2025 09:11

I'd really like some of the doom-mongers to explain how they have diagnosed him as an alcoholic.

He was with the OP from lunchtime and they had a walk, ate, drank (she said he had about 5 pints) then overnight he wet the bed.

Usually anyone who wets the bed has lost control of their bodily functions through being very very drunk and in a deep sleep.

She's never given any indication he was drunk and in fact if he was an alcoholic he'd be less likely to lose control as his tolerance would be high.

I'm all ears....

She said he had 2 pints in the local pub followed by 3-5 drinks at home. So he may potentially have had 7 drinks. I think that's quite a lot.

Some alcoholics will sneak extra drinks at the bar or pre-drink so that they're already slightly drunk when they meet.

The OP said in her first post "We had a few more drinks and we were both pretty drunk, I will admit." So she absolutely has given an indication he was drunk!

Alcoholics are quite good at appearing more sober than they really are.

Yes excessive alcohol consumption can absolutely make someone wet the bed. I presume it's because they don't wake up when they need a pee but I don't know for sure as I have never wet the bed when drunk myself!

I have been with an alcoholic who wet the bed after drinking. He didn't remember doing it and I didn't try to dissect exactly what happened, ie was he awake or asleep when it happened. And as I said, I wasn't always aware of how much he'd had to drink or how drunk he was because he was very good at hiding that.

EdithBond · 17/04/2025 09:52

Seen your updates @NewManIssue.

100% agree you should have some fun. If he’s a lovely man, fun to be with and you click, then why not? Life’s too short. You’re not looking for someone to settle down and have kids with or (presumably) have to rely on financially. You don’t sound lonely or desperate.

I get why he may not have fessed up to wetting the bed, when the stakes were so high: it’d gross you out and risk you ending it with him (as it would for so many on this thread).

First, if he was naked and had been sweating, he may not have been 100% sure himself. It may have been sweat. Second, even if he was sure he’d wet, it was probably a lot to get his head around first thing, maybe with a hangover. The crushing mortification of knowing he’d done it, how to tell you, how bad it was and whether he might get away with it if you assumed it was sweat and washed the sheets. He likely didn’t know for sure how much he’d done and that it’d gone through the mattress.

Since you’ve made it clear you know, he’s handled it well. Honest, remorseful, apologetic, replacing your stuff, letting you know there are triggers.

However, is your ultimatum of ‘it must never happen again’ realistic? IMHO the key going forward is why he wets, how long he’s been doing it and how frequently, whether he’s sought medical advice and how much he’s able to manage it. Bed wetting happens involuntarily while someone’s asleep. So they can’t simply stop themselves, though they might be able to manage it. What I’d be wanting to know is can he fully manage it so it never happens?

Otherwise, it’s futile to give an ultimatum. You can’t say that to someone with a medical condition who may not be able to control the incontinence. It’d be like telling an asthmatic they must never again get breathless or wheezy. Because, if he follows all the medical advice, has treatment and it still occasionally happens, you’re setting him up to fail. It’s a matter of when you end it with him, not if. And, for him, your ultimatum has likely already changed the dynamic. He’ll feel it’s doomed. Perhaps like all his previous relationships. He won’t invest himself and simply enjoy it while he can. Whereas, if he knew you liked and cared about him enough to be understanding and supportive, it could be a wonderful long-term relationship.

If it’s a long-term condition he’s had since he was young, is there anything he can do to fully stop it? Medication? No alcohol? Not drinking anything a few hours before bed and emptying his bladder? Setting an alarm to wake him half way through the night? Does sex affect it?

If it’s a more recent problem, is it linked to alcohol or drugs, or damage their excessive use has caused? Could there be an underlying medical condition? Some people develop continence problems as they get older or due to other medical conditions. Can it be managed to the point it’ll never happen or might it occasionally happen?

I’d also be wanting to know more about his relationship with alcohol and drugs. Chefs can be notoriously hard drinkers and drug users. There’s an historic culture of it in kitchens, especially when he was young (when most people drank more). Is he alcohol dependent? Does he regularly use other drugs? There’s evidence: his work colleagues telling you he used to sit drinking alone until he met you. When did he last go for a week without a drink and what’s he like when he’s not had a drink?

I’d want to know the chicken and egg. Is his lonely drinking connected to the bed-wetting condition? Every woman he’s ever met has finished with him over his medical condition (as you’ve threatened to) when he’s actually a great guy. Which makes him miserable. As it would anyone with a medical condition or disability people can’t see beyond.

Or is he an alcoholic who’s caused damage to his liver, kidneys and bladder functioning to the point he now wets the bed? Alcoholics are often wonderfully sensitive, fun, charming people. But you never come first with them. The alcohol does. And it’s destructive. So, be careful. Ask him directly. And keep chatting to his colleagues and friends to find out a bit more backstory in case he’s deceiving you, as many alcoholics do.

Enjoy yourself, though. Just don’t get too invested or leave yourself vulnerable.

NessieDoesExistYes · 17/04/2025 09:55

SquirrelMadness · 17/04/2025 09:51

She said he had 2 pints in the local pub followed by 3-5 drinks at home. So he may potentially have had 7 drinks. I think that's quite a lot.

Some alcoholics will sneak extra drinks at the bar or pre-drink so that they're already slightly drunk when they meet.

The OP said in her first post "We had a few more drinks and we were both pretty drunk, I will admit." So she absolutely has given an indication he was drunk!

Alcoholics are quite good at appearing more sober than they really are.

Yes excessive alcohol consumption can absolutely make someone wet the bed. I presume it's because they don't wake up when they need a pee but I don't know for sure as I have never wet the bed when drunk myself!

I have been with an alcoholic who wet the bed after drinking. He didn't remember doing it and I didn't try to dissect exactly what happened, ie was he awake or asleep when it happened. And as I said, I wasn't always aware of how much he'd had to drink or how drunk he was because he was very good at hiding that.

I read it as having had 5 pints.
She was drunk too.

You're all assuming he had been drinking before they met.

Maybe it's the opposite- maybe he's a recovering alcoholic.
Maybe he doesn't really drink much.

Maybe he drank more on the date due to nerves and he couldn't hold his drink.

There's so much presumption on this thread with people jumping to conclusions for which there is no evidence.

NessieDoesExistYes · 17/04/2025 09:57

Rainbowchicken · 17/04/2025 09:34

He sounds very much like an alcoholic. Unfortunately addicts don't tend to suddenly recover because they have met someone nice. If he is an addict then of course more undesirable behaviours will emerge over time, and if so I hope you have sufficient boundaries and self esteem to get yourself out of this before you get hurt, you sound really nice. Also, just be aware than most men in their 40s/50s are single for good reason, unlike women they rarely choose to be single. Good luck!

'single for a good reason'.

Yes, like their wives died, or they never met the right person, or they left a marriage that wasn't working [and it was all their fault, you're saying.]

You're making one hell of a judgement about a whole generation of men and it comes over as very judgemental.

CactusSammy · 17/04/2025 10:01

For those asking how he has changed, He used to sit in the restaurant until the last customer had gone drinking and now he literally clears up and leaves.

@NewManIssue he has a drink problem.

I'm the same age as you, and I get where you're coming from. You sound like you have your head screwed on, and you can take or leave having a relationship as you're fine on your own.

I can tell you now though, he is going to be more trouble than he's worth. It's only been a month and you're having to make allowances and adjustments by buying a plastic sheet for your bed.

Yes, it's just a bit of fun, but that's how it always starts. Until your feelings for him grow, his behaviour gets worse, and by then you're emotionally attached and it's not so easy for you to leave.

We're both old enough to know that people don't change, if you aren't going to dump him (which I absolutely think you should), please be careful. I'm sure your daughter would give you the same advice if she knew about this.

SquirrelMadness · 17/04/2025 10:04

NessieDoesExistYes · 17/04/2025 09:55

I read it as having had 5 pints.
She was drunk too.

You're all assuming he had been drinking before they met.

Maybe it's the opposite- maybe he's a recovering alcoholic.
Maybe he doesn't really drink much.

Maybe he drank more on the date due to nerves and he couldn't hold his drink.

There's so much presumption on this thread with people jumping to conclusions for which there is no evidence.

I'm not assuming he was pre-drinking. I said that's what some alcoholics do.

Personally I wouldn't want to stay with someone who wet the bed, didn't say anything and left me to deal with it. He's admitted to OP that this has happened before so I don't believe he didn't realise what had happened. Like I said, my ex realised immediately when he'd wet the bed.

You would want to give him a second chance. That's fine. But I'm allowed to point out the risks of such an approach, having already given men a second chance myself and having lived to regret it.

Apollo365 · 17/04/2025 10:10

If I wet my bed one night after a few too many drinks I would hope for forgiveness.
Id forgive me partner.
He must be mortified.

NessieDoesExistYes · 17/04/2025 10:12

SquirrelMadness · 17/04/2025 10:04

I'm not assuming he was pre-drinking. I said that's what some alcoholics do.

Personally I wouldn't want to stay with someone who wet the bed, didn't say anything and left me to deal with it. He's admitted to OP that this has happened before so I don't believe he didn't realise what had happened. Like I said, my ex realised immediately when he'd wet the bed.

You would want to give him a second chance. That's fine. But I'm allowed to point out the risks of such an approach, having already given men a second chance myself and having lived to regret it.

Well if you're not assuming he'd been drinking beforehand, how do you explain wetting the bed after 5pints spread across a whole afternoon and evening?

You're making a lot of comments based on opinion not fact. Which is fine but don't confuse your own experiences- and opinions- with the facts.

I didn't say I'd give him a second chance.
Again, you' re not reading properly.

I was asking how and why so many posters assumed he had a drinking problem.

Saying it had occurred before doesn't mean he has a drinking issue- there could be other reasons.

The level of critical thinking here is appalling.

Umbilicat · 17/04/2025 10:19

Before the thread fills up

Well done OP, you've handled this throughout with grace and huge humour. Congrats on ignoring the dump him instantly brigade, congrats for speaking to him face to face, congrats for knowing your boundaries and making it clear he's now on probation. He's mortified, he's begged for forgiveness, he bought you all the new stuff instantly, in that situation someone deserves ONE second chance. Wish you all the best!

MounjaroOnMyMind · 17/04/2025 10:19

So you say: "For those asking how he has changed, He used to sit in the restaurant until the last customer had gone drinking and now he literally clears up and leaves. They’ve all said he seems really happy and calm and generally more relaxed."

But you've only known him for a month! So until early March this year, he was clearly a heavy drinker. He's calm now - which means he wasn't beforehand.

I'm not sure about this guy, OP. I think you'll find his drinking to be a problem. It certainly won't be the first time he's wet the bed, either. I'm glad he's bought you a mattress etc - that was an expense he clearly wasn't expecting when he did a runner - but do you really think he'll buy another one next time?

Alwaysinamood · 17/04/2025 10:42

Sadly I can guarantee it will happen again, talking from personal experience. Whether it’s in a few weeks, months or even a year. They’re fully aware of the trigger but often choose to ignore it regardless of consequences.

SquashedMallow · 17/04/2025 10:46

MonaLisaDoesntSmile · 17/04/2025 08:05

Oooh, tell me Sherlock, what is the typical acceptable usual behaviour for a 50+ year old?

Don't be sneery.

HellsBells67 · 17/04/2025 10:47

I'm glad he's bought you a mattress etc - that was an expense he clearly wasn't expecting when he did a runner - but do you really think he'll buy another one next time

No need, op has already ordered a mattress protector. Incredible but true.

5128gap · 17/04/2025 10:50

BoldAmberDuck · 17/04/2025 09:14

I agree. She seems a nice person and this has all got out of hand and everyone piling in with their anti male opinions doesn’t help. Give the bloke a chance!

Unless you're suggesting that drunken bedwetting and leaving it for a woman to clean up is an inate and unavoidable part of being male, I don't really see how being 'anti' this guy based on this specific behaviour constitutes being 'anti male'? Can you explain?

SquirrelMadness · 17/04/2025 10:51

NessieDoesExistYes · 17/04/2025 10:12

Well if you're not assuming he'd been drinking beforehand, how do you explain wetting the bed after 5pints spread across a whole afternoon and evening?

You're making a lot of comments based on opinion not fact. Which is fine but don't confuse your own experiences- and opinions- with the facts.

I didn't say I'd give him a second chance.
Again, you' re not reading properly.

I was asking how and why so many posters assumed he had a drinking problem.

Saying it had occurred before doesn't mean he has a drinking issue- there could be other reasons.

The level of critical thinking here is appalling.

You are assuming he drank five pints based on your interpretation of what the OP wrote. None of us know for sure how much he drank, we weren't there.

Nobody is assuming he's alcoholic. People are warning that he might be.

Stop being so rude!

TonTonMacoute · 17/04/2025 10:52

I'm glad you're giving him a second chance OP. People make mistakes, it's how they deal with it afterwards that is the most important thing. His reaction seems positive to me - apology, explanation and reparation. What more can the guy do?

OneForTheRoadThen · 17/04/2025 10:52

So what did he say was the trigger for wetting the bed?

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 17/04/2025 10:55

Sent this thread to a male friend who is a recovering alcoholic, sober for many years.
His words? Run for the hills.
He said the man leaving feigning surprise, texting about sweat, knowing what it was. The contrition. The co-workers talking about how he’s changed.
He told me if you don’t live with an alcoholic, they can top up very easily especially in the first month, and you just assume they like a drink.
And if he had a trigger and overrode it to have another drink, he has an issue. The next drink is more important than his own wellbeing, never mind OP and her bed.

Emonade · 17/04/2025 10:58

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 17/04/2025 10:55

Sent this thread to a male friend who is a recovering alcoholic, sober for many years.
His words? Run for the hills.
He said the man leaving feigning surprise, texting about sweat, knowing what it was. The contrition. The co-workers talking about how he’s changed.
He told me if you don’t live with an alcoholic, they can top up very easily especially in the first month, and you just assume they like a drink.
And if he had a trigger and overrode it to have another drink, he has an issue. The next drink is more important than his own wellbeing, never mind OP and her bed.

Edited

Exactly this. He may be lovely but he clearly has an alcohol problem and alcohol will always come first.

sammylady37 · 17/04/2025 11:01

TonTonMacoute · 17/04/2025 10:52

I'm glad you're giving him a second chance OP. People make mistakes, it's how they deal with it afterwards that is the most important thing. His reaction seems positive to me - apology, explanation and reparation. What more can the guy do?

Oh I dunno. Maybe he could not engage in the known trigger(s). Or he could acknowledge it when it happens, immediately apologise, clean up and replace what needs to be replaced.

instead, he took whatever the trigger is, pretended he didn’t know what had happened, didn’t acknowledge or apologise until the op confronted him, didn’t clean up (he left that delightful task for the op) and didn’t replace the items he damaged until the op asked him.

Truly, a prince among men.

LeonardCohensFamousBlueRaincoat · 17/04/2025 11:06

His colleagues going on about how much he's changed is a huge red flag to me. What the hell was he like before then? Obviously not so great in their opinion.
And he's clearly done it before as he knows his triggers so he knew he'd pissed the bed and just left you to clean it up. Yuck 🤮
Think you're making a big mistake giving him another chance tbh

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