More than 80 different sleep disorders have been identified, but one of the most common and overlooked causes is nighttime awakenings to urinate. This frequent interruption can lead to difficulty maintaining sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and ultimately disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Addressing the underlying urinary symptoms is essential not only for improving sleep but also for enhancing overall health and quality of life.
Should you use medication?
A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found treating urinary urge incontinence with medication significantly improved sleep quality by reducing nighttime bathroom visits and subsequently lowering daytime fatigue. Even women without full-blown incontinence can experience bothersome nighttime urgency that fragments sleep. The best medicine for this would be solifenacin and festoterodine. Both medicines have been shown to have improvements in sleep duration, sleep quality and longer periods of undisturbed sleep.
Pelvic floor therapies help improve sleep
For those seeking non-pharmacologic options, therapies such as MonaLisa Touch and ThermiVa have shown success in addressing overactive bladder, urge incontinence, and related bladder symptoms. These treatments can provide relief for women looking to avoid medications or seeking complementary approaches.
A particularly promising option for both treatment and prevention of urinary symptoms is the Emsella chair, a non-invasive, FDA-cleared therapy for urinary incontinence. Emsella uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to stimulate and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles—delivering the equivalent of thousands of Kegel exercises in a single session. Research has shown Emsella to be both safe and highly effective for improving bladder control, reducing urgency, and minimizing nighttime bathroom trips in both women and men. For those with OAB, just improving the pelvic floor (even in those who do not get up at night to urinate) improves sleep quality!
Emsella is especially beneficial for patients experiencing urge incontinence, stress incontinence, or mixed symptoms. It is painless, requires no downtime. Emsella can be used preventatively in patients who are beginning to experience early signs of pelvic floor weakness. For men, Emsella has also been shown to improve continence and even offer benefits for post-prostatectomy recovery and sexual health.
SEx IMproves sleep too
Interestingly, regular sexual activity contributes to pelvic floor health. Thus, as a strategy to improve sex, yes, it’s on the list. During intercourse, the pelvic floor muscles contract and relax, enhancing tone and coordination over time. Improved pelvic floor strength has been associated with fewer nighttime urinary symptoms and better bladder control. Sex is not a replacement for targeted therapy, it can complement other strategies aimed at reducing nocturia.
Patient Testimonials:
- “After three Emsella sessions, I was already getting up fewer times at night. I didn’t realize how much my sleep was suffering until I started sleeping through the night again.” — Female, age 52
- “The treatments are quick, and I can do them on my lunch break. No more middle-of-the-night sprints to the bathroom.” — Male, age 67
- “I used to wake up at least twice a night. After completing the Emsella series, I’m down to once or not at all. I feel more rested and have more energy during the day.” — Female, age 45
Preventing nighttime awakenings is key to restoring restful sleep. By treating urinary symptoms with innovative solutions like Emsella, patients can achieve better sleep continuity, reduce their need for medications, and preserve their circadian rhythm. If you’re experiencing frequent nighttime bathroom trips, talk to your healthcare provider about a comprehensive evaluation and whether Emsella may be right for you.
