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Adults who wet the bed by accident
I am interested in learning about the experiences, thoughts, and feelings of other adults who, like myself, have good bladder control during the daytime but have (or have had) trouble staying dry at night. This poll is NOT intended for those who wet on purpose, or for those who are incontinent 24/7 for medical reasons -- thanks. Anyone who would like to talk more about this condition may feel free to post on the message board or to e-mail me at the address given below.
What is your age?
| 18-21 | 28.0% (30) | |
| 22-25 | 13.0% (14) | |
| 26-29 | 16.0% (17) | |
| 30-34 | 14.0% (15) | |
| 35-39 | 4.0% (5) | |
| 40-49 | 15.0% (16) | |
| 50-59 | 2.0% (3) | |
| 60 or over | 3.0% (4) |
104 voters answered this question.
What is your gender?
| Male | 53.0% (55) | |
| Female | 46.0% (48) |
103 voters answered this question.
AS OF NOW, about how often do you wet the bed at night? (Pick the closest answer.)
| I don't anymore, but I have in the past as an adult | 4.0% (5) | |
| On very rare occasions (once a year or less) | 14.0% (15) | |
| A few times a year | 11.0% (12) | |
| Several times a year | 12.0% (13) | |
| About once a month | 9.0% (10) | |
| A few times a month | 8.0% (9) | |
| About once a week | 1.0% (2) | |
| 2-3 nights a week | 4.0% (5) | |
| 4-5 nights a week | 5.0% (6) | |
| Almost every night, but have some dry nights | 12.0% (13) | |
| Literally every night (one dry night a month or less) | 13.0% (14) |
104 voters answered this question.
What do you think causes you to wet the bed as an adult? (If you have since stopped, what do you think were the causes when you did?) Check ALL that apply.
| Drinking too much | 34.0% (35) | |
| Not wanting to get out of bed to use the bathroom | 26.0% (27) | |
| Small or underdeveloped bladder | 18.0% (19) | |
| Unstable or overactive bladder | 22.0% (23) | |
| Overproduction of urine at night (not as a result of drinking) | 17.0% (18) | |
| Abnormally deep sleep | 45.0% (46) | |
| Stress | 37.0% (38) | |
| Mental or emotional problems | 21.0% (22) | |
| Other physical causes (sleep apnea, nerve problems, urinary infections, etc.) | 13.0% (14) | |
| Natural consequence of aging | 7.0% (8) | |
| Other (please post or e-mail me if I have left anything out!) | 4.0% (5) |
102 voters answered this question.
If you had to pick ONE of the above that you think is the MAIN cause of your wetting as an adult, which would it be?
| Drinking too much | 13.0% (13) | |
| Not wanting to get out of bed and use the bathroom | 17.0% (17) | |
| Small or underdeveloped bladder | 5.0% (5) | |
| Unstable or overactive bladder | 5.0% (5) | |
| Overproduction of urine at night (not because of drinking) | 6.0% (6) | |
| Abnormally deep sleep | 26.0% (26) | |
| Stress | 17.0% (17) | |
| Mental or emotional problems | 1.0% (1) | |
| Other physical causes (sleep apnea, nerve problems, urinary infections, etc.) | 5.0% (5) | |
| Natural consequence of aging | 0.0% (0) | |
| Other (same instruction as above question) | 5.0% (5) |
100 voters answered this question.
As a CHILD, did you REGULARLY wet the bed (3 or more nights a week) for any length of time between the ages of 5 and 18?
| No | 36.0% (38) | |
| Yes | 63.0% (65) |
103 voters answered this question.
If NO to the above, which of the following best describes your childhood experience? (Please answer this question, then SKIP down to the question labeled "ALL RESPONDENTS" below. "Completely dry" means that you went for a period of six months or more without ever having an accident at night.)
| I was completely dry at night between ages 5 and 18, and only started wetting as an adult | 30.0% (18) | |
| I had occasional accidents beyond age 5, but became completely dry by age 10, until an adult | 20.0% (12) | |
| I had occasional accidents beyond age 10, but after that became completely dry, until an adult | 8.0% (5) | |
| I was completely dry by age 5, but resumed occasional wetting in later childhood | 1.0% (1) | |
| I became completely dry after age 5, but resumed occasional wetting in later childhood | 8.0% (5) | |
| I was never completely dry -- I continued having occasional accidents from age 5 to adulthood | 31.0% (19) |
60 voters answered this question.
If YES to the above, at what age did you FIRST STOP wetting the bed REGULARLY (3 or more times a week)?
| Before age 5 (but started again in later childhood) | 8.0% (7) | |
| Between 5 and 9 | 15.0% (12) | |
| Between 10 and 12 | 17.0% (14) | |
| Between 13 and 15 | 11.0% (9) | |
| Between 16 and 18 | 5.0% (4) | |
| I wet the bed regularly past the age of 18, but have since stopped | 3.0% (3) | |
| I have wet the bed regularly my whole life | 38.0% (31) |
80 voters answered this question.
If you wet regularly as a child, what do you think caused it? Check all that apply.
| Drinking too many liquids late at night | 27.0% (22) | |
| Not wanting to get out of bed to use the bathroom | 36.0% (29) | |
| Small or underdeveloped bladder | 31.0% (25) | |
| Unstable or overactive bladder | 26.0% (21) | |
| Overproduction of urine at night (not caused by drinking too much) | 18.0% (15) | |
| Abnormally deep sleep | 41.0% (33) | |
| Stress | 16.0% (13) | |
| Mental or emotional problems | 18.0% (15) | |
| Slow overall physical development | 6.0% (5) | |
| Other physical causes (sleep apnea, nerve problems, urinary infections, etc.) | 6.0% (5) | |
| Other (please post or e-mail me if I have left anything out!) | 5.0% (4) |
79 voters answered this question.
Same as the earlier question: if you had to pick ONE factor above all others that you think caused you to wet regularly as a child, what would it be?
| Drinking too many liquids late at night | 16.0% (13) | |
| Not wanting to get out of bed to use the bathroom | 18.0% (15) | |
| Small or underdeveloped bladder | 13.0% (11) | |
| Unstable or overactive bladder | 7.0% (6) | |
| Overproduction of urine at night (not caused by drinking too much) | 2.0% (2) | |
| Abnormally deep sleep | 20.0% (17) | |
| Stress | 1.0% (1) | |
| Mental or emotional problems | 9.0% (8) | |
| Slow overall physical development | 1.0% (1) | |
| Other physical causes (sleep apnea, nerve problems, urinary infections, etc.) | 6.0% (5) | |
| Other (please post or e-mail me if I have left anything out!) | 2.0% (2) |
81 voters answered this question.
If you wet regularly as a child, have you ever stopped wetting regularly for any length of time (3 months or more) and later returned to regular bed-wetting? If you stopped and started multiple times, select the ONE period when you stopped for the greatest length of time.
| YES, I stopped and then started again before puberty | 4.0% (4) | |
| YES, I stopped before puberty, then started again around puberty | 7.0% (6) | |
| YES, I stopped before puberty, then started again as an adult | 16.0% (13) | |
| YES, I stopped around puberty, but started again in later adolescence | 4.0% (4) | |
| YES, I stopped around puberty, then started again as an adult | 6.0% (5) | |
| YES, I stopped as an adult, then started again later on as an adult | 4.0% (4) | |
| NO, once I stopped wetting regularly I never resumed again | 14.0% (12) | |
| NO, I have never stopped wetting regularly | 40.0% (33) |
81 voters answered this question.
ALL RESPONDENTS: Since you began wetting the bed as an ADULT (whether for the first time, or continuing or resuming from childhood), has your wetting become more or less frequent over time? (Pick the closest answer.)
| It has gradually become LESS frequent over time | 13.0% (13) | |
| It has gradually become MORE frequent over time | 27.0% (27) | |
| It has always been about the SAME | 35.0% (35) | |
| It has fluctuated a lot, but become LESS frequent overall in the long run | 3.0% (3) | |
| It has fluctuated a lot, but become MORE frequent overall in the long run | 1.0% (1) | |
| It has fluctuated a lot, but has stayed about the SAME overall | 5.0% (5) | |
| It became LESS frequent for a time, but now is becoming MORE frequent again | 2.0% (2) | |
| It became MORE frequent for a time, but now is becoming LESS frequent again | 0.0% (0) | |
| It suddenly became much LESS frequent, and has stayed that way | 1.0% (1) | |
| It suddenly became much MORE frequent, and has stayed that way | 7.0% (7) | |
| It has STOPPED completely! | 5.0% (5) |
99 voters answered this question.
Regardless of the previous answer (unless you have already stopped wetting completely), do you still hold out hope that you will one day get better control of your bladder at night?
| YES, I am still hoping that I will stop wetting completely | 53.0% (48) | |
| YES, I am still hoping that I will be able to wet much less frequently, if not stop completely | 8.0% (8) | |
| NO, I am resigned to the fact that I will probably have this for the rest of my life | 32.0% (29) | |
| NO, I know because of a specific medical reason that I will have this for the rest of my life | 1.0% (1) | |
| YES, I've been told medically that I won't get better, but still hope I will | 3.0% (3) |
89 voters answered this question.
As an ADULT, have you tried any of the following treatments to help you stop or reduce wetting at night? Check all that apply.
| Medication | 17.0% (12) | |
| Wetness alarm device | 22.0% (15) | |
| Awakening at timed intervals | 25.0% (17) | |
| Bladder stretching exercises (holding on as long as possible) | 25.0% (17) | |
| Kegel or urinary stream interruption exercises | 14.0% (10) | |
| Drinking less overall liquid before bedtime | 57.0% (39) | |
| Reducing alcohol intake | 23.0% (16) | |
| Reducing caffeine intake | 20.0% (14) | |
| Reducing artificial sweetener intake | 10.0% (7) | |
| Reducing overall stress level | 14.0% (10) | |
| Relaxation techniques (yoga, etc.) | 10.0% (7) | |
| Hypnosis or other psychotherapy | 5.0% (4) | |
| Surgery | 4.0% (3) | |
| Other (please post or e-mail me if I have left anything out!) | 11.0% (8) |
68 voters answered this question.
For each of the above boxes you checked (i.e., that you have actually tried), please indicate how helpful it was, if at all. Medication:
| Big help | 12.0% (6) | |
| Big help, but only as long as I kept taking it | 4.0% (2) | |
| Some help | 8.0% (4) | |
| Some help, but only as long as I kept taking it | 12.0% (6) | |
| No help | 64.0% (32) |
50 voters answered this question.
Wetness alarm device:
| Big help | 2.0% (1) | |
| Big help for a time, but relapsed | 2.0% (1) | |
| Some help | 17.0% (6) | |
| No help | 77.0% (27) |
35 voters answered this question.
Awakening at timed intervals:
| Big help | 2.0% (1) | |
| Big help, but only as long as I kept doing it | 5.0% (2) | |
| Some help | 25.0% (10) | |
| No help | 67.0% (27) |
40 voters answered this question.
Bladder stretching (holding on as long as possible):
| Big help | 2.0% (1) | |
| Big help, but only as long as I did it regularly | 0.0% (0) | |
| Some help | 13.0% (5) | |
| Some help, but only as long as I did it regularly | 13.0% (5) | |
| No help | 71.0% (27) |
38 voters answered this question.
Kegel or stream interruption exercises:
| Big help | 5.0% (2) | |
| Big help, but only as long as I did them regularly | 0.0% (0) | |
| Some help | 11.0% (4) | |
| Some help, only as long as I did them regularly | 13.0% (5) | |
| No help | 69.0% (25) |
36 voters answered this question.
Reducing overall liquid intake:
| Big help | 15.0% (8) | |
| Some help | 42.0% (22) | |
| No help | 42.0% (22) |
52 voters answered this question.
Reducing alcohol intake:
| Big help | 15.0% (6) | |
| Some help | 38.0% (15) | |
| No help | 46.0% (18) |
39 voters answered this question.
Reducing caffeine intake:
| Big help | 8.0% (3) | |
| Some help | 36.0% (13) | |
| No help | 55.0% (20) |
36 voters answered this question.
Reducing artificial sweetener intake:
| Big help | 0.0% (0) | |
| Some help | 9.0% (3) | |
| No help | 90.0% (30) |
33 voters answered this question.
Reducing overall stress level:
| Big help | 13.0% (5) | |
| Some help | 27.0% (10) | |
| No help | 59.0% (22) |
37 voters answered this question.
Relaxation techniques (yoga, etc.):
| Big help | 8.0% (3) | |
| Some help | 17.0% (6) | |
| No help | 73.0% (25) |
34 voters answered this question.
Hypnosis or other psychotherapy:
| Big help | 0.0% (0) | |
| Big help, only as long as I kept doing it | 0.0% (0) | |
| Some help | 3.0% (1) | |
| Some help, only as long as I kept doing it | 3.0% (1) | |
| No help | 93.0% (31) |
33 voters answered this question.
Surgery:
| Big help | 0.0% (0) | |
| Big help, but relapsed over time | 0.0% (0) | |
| Some help | 4.0% (1) | |
| No help | 63.0% (14) | |
| Negative help (complications made the situation worse) | 31.0% (7) |
22 voters answered this question.
Almost done! Three more questions. First, do you think that your bed-wetting is (or was, if you have stopped) contributing significantly to any of the following difficulties in your life? Check all that apply.
| High overall stress level | 40.0% (28) | |
| Lack of adequate sleep on a regular basis | 30.0% (21) | |
| Financial difficulty (due to cost of laundry, protection, etc.) | 18.0% (13) | |
| Difficulty forming close (non-dating) friendships | 21.0% (15) | |
| Difficulty in forming intimate or dating relationships | 37.0% (26) | |
| Low self-esteem or self-confidence | 40.0% (28) | |
| Depression | 18.0% (13) | |
| Anxiety | 26.0% (18) | |
| Self-hatred or suicidal thoughts | 13.0% (9) |
69 voters answered this question.
If you were suddenly to know with complete certainty that you were completely and permanently cured of your bed-wetting problem, to what extent do you think your life would change because of it? Answer on a scale of 0 to 5.
| 5 (dramatically, in almost every area) | 23.0% (21) | |
| 4 | 3.0% (3) | |
| 3 (significantly, in many areas) | 23.0% (21) | |
| 2 | 12.0% (11) | |
| 1 (I might feel a little better about myself, but my overall life pattern wouldn't change much) | 22.0% (20) | |
| 0 (I don't think it would change my life much at all) | 15.0% (14) |
90 voters answered this question.
Finally, would you be interested in participating in a confidential e-mail discussion group about ways of treating and dealing with the social consequences of adult bed-wetting?
| Yes | 12.0% (11) | |
| No | 78.0% (71) | |
| "Confidential e-mail discussion group"? Are you kidding? | 8.0% (8) |
90 voters answered this question.