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Expert Q&A
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| By Christopher S. Cooper, M.D., F.A.A.P., F.A.C.S. Associate Professor at the University of Iowa Director of Pediatric Urology for the Children's Hospital of Iowa | ||
My daughter will be turning 11 years old in June, and she still wets the bed every night. I have her use GoodNites® [Underpants] and it is a lot easier, but I have a concern. She is showing signs of puberty at an early age and I worry that if she does not stop the bedwetting before she begins to menstruate then there could be problems, both physically and emotionally, not to mention the mess. Any ideas on this topic?

Bedwetting can be emotionally stressful for children, particularly as they grow older. I don't believe menstruation should add to this stress, but I understand your concerns. My advice is to continue to reassure your daughter that bedwetting is a problem millions of children face, and 99 percent of them will outgrow it given time.
Also continue to let her know that this is not her fault.
Related Expert Q&A
- How do I reduce the amount of liquids my son drinks without making him too thirsty?
- What effect will the onset of menstruation have on my 11-year-old daughter's bedwetting?
- My 3-year-old daughter wets several times a week while my 5-year-old son has wet just about every night of his life. Does this mean that his case is more severe than hers?
- Does bedwetting have anything to do with my daughters' prematurity?
- Could the vitamins my child takes affect his bedwetting?
More Answers by this Expert
- At what age should a child be able to stay dry throughout the night?
- Why does my son stay dry in GoodNites® Underpants, but have accidents without...?
- I am nervous about my child, who wets the bed, attending camp, as I won't be there to protect him. Any suggestions on having a more positive outlook?
- At what age should a child be able to stay dry throughout the night?
- My 11-year-old daughter will sometimes go a couple of weeks without wetting the bed, then turn around and wet the bed again every single night for the next two! It seems like one step forward, two steps back. Why does this happen?



