Bed-wetting

Related Terms

Bed-wetting is urination during sleep in children older than 5 years of age. It is common and usually goes away on its own. Children do not like to feel different than their peers, so bed-wetting often causes embarrassment.

It is treated with family support, behavioral conditioning, and bladder training. Some children may need medicine, but this is not common. Some parents turn to natural therapies to help promote bladder control.

Natural Therapies

May Be Effective

  • Acupuncture A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6
  • Behavioral interventions C2
  • Chamomile is a flower. It may prevent bed-wetting when used as an oil.B1
  • Combination of Chinese and Western medicine B3
  • Hypnotherapy C3, C4, C5
  • Omega-3 fatty acids B2
  • Vitamin D B2

Not Enough Data to Assess

  • Manual therapy C1

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about all herbs or pills you are taking. Some may get in the way of your treatment or other health problems you may have.

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some may get in the way of treatment. They can also make illness worse or cause new problems. Examples include:

 

References

Acupuncture

A1. Karaman MI, Koca O, et al. Laser acupuncture therapy for primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. J Urol. 2011;185(5):1852-1856.

A2. Kiddoo D. Nocturnal enuresis: non-pharmacological treatments. BMJ Clin Evid. 2015 Jan 13;2015. pii: 0305.

A3. Moursy EE, Kamel NF, et al. Combined laser acupuncture and desmopressin for treating resistant cases of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: a randomized comparative study. Scand J Urol. 2014 Dec;48(6):559-564.

A4. Alsharnoubi J, Sabbour AA, et al. Nocturnal enuresis in children between laser acupuncture and medical treatment: a comparative study. Lasers Med Sci. 2017 Jan;32(1):95-99.

A5. Huang T, Shu X, et al. Complementary and miscellaneous interventions for nocturnal enuresis in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Dec 7;(12):CD005230.

A6. Kiddoo D. Nocturnal enuresis. BMJ Clin Evid. 2011 Jan 31;2011. pii: 0305.

Herbs and Supplements

B1. Sharifi H, Minaie MB, et al. Topical use of Matricaria recutita L (Chamomile) Oil in the Treatment of Monosymptomatic Enuresis in Children: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):12-17.

B2. Rahmani E, Eftekhari MH, et al. Effect of vitamin D and omega-3 on nocturnal enuresis of 7-15-year-old children. J Pediatr Urol. 2018 Jun;14(3):257.e1-257.e6.

B3. Ma Y, Liu X, et al. Effect of traditional Chinese and Western medicine on nocturnal enuresis in children and indicators of treatment success: Randomized controlled trial. Pediatr Int. 2017 Nov;59(11):1183-1188.

Other Therapies

C1. Parnell Prevost C, Gleberzon B, et al. Manual therapy for the pediatric population: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Mar 13;19(1):60.

C2. Caldwell PH, Nankivell G, et al. Simple behavioural interventions for nocturnal enuresis in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jul 19;(7):CD003637.

C3. Huang T, Shu X, et al. Complementary and miscellaneous interventions for nocturnal enuresis in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Dec 7;(12):CD005230.

C4. Kiddoo D. Nocturnal enuresis. BMJ Clin Evid. 2011 Jan 31;2011. pii: 0305.

C5. Kiddoo D. Nocturnal enuresis: non-pharmacological treatments. BMJ Clin Evid. 2015 Jan 13;2015. pii: 0305.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC