Nocturia: A Nonspecific but Bothersome Symptom in Urology

Nocturia is a common symptom in both men and women. It can be troublesome by itself by disturbing sleep and can have a significant impact on the quality of sleep and the quality of life. In men, nocturia is often ascribed to prostatic disease without due consideration of other causes. However, other factors or a combination of factors are just as likely to be the cause. The cause of nocturia can usually be determined by a simple assessment of a patient's history, an examination, and a voiding diary, plus a urodynamic study if necessary. Lifestyle and behavioral changes may benefit some individuals, but for many people, the only treatment option is pharmacology. Antimuscarinic agents are the most common therapies for an overactive bladder and are often used to manage nocturia. The vasopressin analog desmopressin consistently leads to improvement in nocturnal episodes of patients with proven polyuria. The risk of adverse events associated with most available medications requires careful monitoring to optimize better safety and tolerability.