Frequent night-time peeing!

[Happydaze2]

I need to get up to pee 2-3 times every night even though I never drink anything after 8pm - at least 2 hours before bedtime. This isn’t new, been like this for a long while. I’m 57 and post-menopausal. Is this normal? I’m otherwise in good health but this having to go to the loo during the night is really disruptive to my sleep :(

maybe a blood sugar issue ask your doctor

This was me (slightly younger 53) & I hadn't ever realised it was a menopause thing. Oestrogen pessaries made a big difference

HRT helped with this massively.

Ditto!
Hrt has helped with many things but not thst...

I was on HRT a few years ago and it made no difference (have stopped HRT), been using oestrogen pessaries for the last 7 months and still no improvement unfortunately

What dose are you using? I needed daily vagifem to get a proper nights sleep. I notice a difference within a couple of days if I reduce the dose. I am also on Oestrogel, progesterone and testogel but its the daily vagifem that allows me have a day out without worrying about accessing a toilet constantly

I’m on vagifem 10 microgram twice a week - @Mudflaps do you think I should talk to GP about increasing?

I have this and had it for as long as I can remember. GP ran some tests and basically came to the conclusion that it’s a learned behaviour. I did get prescribed something for it but it made no difference. I do think theres something in it being hormonal though but never got tested for that by doc

Absolutely, I had to bypass my gp because she didn't believe in hrt!! I went to a gp specialising in menopause who examined me and diagnosed vaginal atrophy (its been renamed since then), she did say that a lot of gp's only prescribed 2 a week but that she disagreed because obviously not all women are effected the same, I tried reducing but symptoms returned very quickly.

Really interesting thoughts and comments, thank you all.

Caffeine can irritate the bladder and make us wee more.
so I now try not to have caffeine especially from 4 ish in the afternoons.

@1Messycoo yes, me too - still doesn’t help unfortunately

Have you had an HbA1C test recently? Peeing in the night was one of the main signs I had T2 diabetes. Getting my sugar levels under control meant no more waking up during the night. Menopause reduces oestrogen which can decrease insulin production and sensitivity which can raise risk of T2 diabetes.

Frequent nighttime urination after menopause is common due to hormonal changes affecting the bladder. It could also be linked to aging or other conditions like overactive bladder.
What should I do to address this issue and improve my sleep?

Some people say HRT helps, but I think it's mostly psychosomatic, to answer your question, yes I think it is normal for many women.

Ask for Oxybutinin. Worked wonders for me.

@Sister

Sorry l typed the wrong user name and couldn't delete it for some reason! It should have been directed to @TwisterSpice @TwisterSpice I just wondered if you had any side-effects from the Oxybutynin as l have been prescribed it.

Hi, I started on 2.5mg with no side effects. Increased to 5mg and had the worst dry mouth all day everyday. Went back to 2.5 as the increase actually made the night time weeing worse! Back on 2.5 now and no side effects.

I agree on being psychosomatic. I take a diuretic alongside a blood pressure tablet (the combination is really the only thing that works) which I take at night. I’ve got used to night time peeing and now barely wake up.
But I have this issue about not making the loo in time, causing me to empty my bladder when near. However, when travelling, I can hold considerable amounts and did so just last week.
Not drinking enough will irritate the bladder so beware of restricting fluid. I am most definitely not suffering from T2 diabetes.

I found the estring (oestrogen ring that stays inside) helped somewhat - still get up a couple of times - esp if I’ve had lots of drinks, tea etc - but it’s better than before. I notice the difference when I come on and off it, within a couple of days.

@TwisterSpice Thankyou, l also suffer from dry mouth at night and l had to resort to using a hydrating mouth spray every time l woke to go to the loo (3 times usually!)
l was prescribed Mirabegron initially but that did nothing so was then given Oxybutynin 2.5. I have been nervous to try it as l read it can make you feel dizzy and as l am prone to vertigo that put me off.
Good to hear no side effects for you though, do you have to get up at night at all now?

I still have to get up but it’s reduced massively. I would say I’ve gone from every hour to maybe twice between 10-6.

It could be a symptom of menopause. It could be a symptom of diabetes. It could be something else. None of us can know for sure, and we can't orescribe medicine for you, so one way or another, you need to see your GP, but at least you should know what questions to ask.

I use vagifem daily, gone from peeing several times a night (sometimes I'd get back in bed and immediately get up again for a wee) to going through the night.
And I take a cup of tea up to bed.
I do still have some latchkey urgency during the day.
63 with vaginal atrophy.
I did have to have a firm word with my female GP to be allowed the daily prescription, it was only after reading threads on here that I learned that the vagifem prescribed now is weaker than the old stuff but the information leaflets don't reflect that.
I use Yes VM to help with absorption.
The only time I have overnight problems is when I've got a bad migraine.
Hope you get sorted @Happydaze2