Pelvic floor physical therapists often explain to patients that waking up to urinate at night is not ideal. When patients mention waking up multiple times to use the bathroom, they discuss bladder irritants, staying hydrated before bed, and retraining the bladder through habits. These aspects are important, but another critical reason for avoiding nighttime trips to the bathroom is that it indicates we aren’t reaching the essential REM sleep stage.
REM sleep is vital for mood, memory, and learning. During this stage, our bodies secrete antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which helps conserve body fluids by reducing urine production. When hydrated, ADH levels drop, and we urinate every two to three hours. However, ADH’s role in hydration also influences our ability to sleep through the night without needing to urinate.
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