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If she has discussed this with her doctor and her doctor is not concerned it should be of no concern to you or anyone else.,
Are you a caregiver for your sister?
If not butt out.
If you are make sure there is a safe way for her to get to the bathroom. Might want to try lights that are motion sensitive so the light goes on as she moves into the area so there is less of a chance for her to trip


I hope you are using the phrase "elder sister" to describe the birth order not the fact that she is elderly. 55 years old may get her an AARP card but it will not get her a Senior Discount
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Reply to Grandma1954
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Are your sister and/or her doctor concerned about this?

"Normal" is a setting on a washing machine.

"Normal" blood pressure is 120/80. My pressure is generally 100-110/65-70. So, if I read 120/80, for me that's high, even though it's deemed "normal".

"Normal" body temperature is 98.6 degrees. Both my husband and my daughter run 95-96 degrees. So, if their temperature reads 97, just a few tics above "normal", they are starting to run a fever.

When my nephew had an attack of kidney stones, the urologist said he should be drinking enough during the day to ensure he is going to the bathroom every hour. Which sounds rather ludicrous, but that's what his doctor told him.

My SIL drinks tea all day long. She was a teacher and couldn't run to the bathroom during the day multiple times, so she "trained" her body to go more at night. So that's her normal.

Again, are either her and/or her doctor concerned about this? If the answer is no, then I wouldn't worry about what "normal" is.
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Reply to notgoodenough
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I have to pee all the the time...I discovered, after being tested by the urologist, that my bladder does not empty completely when I void. So I may get up once or twice a night to to and I pee a lot more often if I have a lot of fluids. It's not really anything to be concerned about.
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JoAnn29 Oct 29, 2025
You need to wait a few seconds to get the urge again. Leaning forward helps. You have to literally push it out. Not voiding completely can contribute to UTIs.
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If I drink a lot of water before bed, yes. Otherwise, no once a night is much more normal for people over 40.
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Reply to JustAnon
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First... your sister at the young age of 55 is NOT "elder." Second... what is it to you? Do you sleep with her and she wakes you up when she gets up? I highly doubt that, or at least I hope that isn't true.

Depending on what time she goes to bed and what time she gets up will I'm sure affect her peeing frequency.
I'm 66 and get up once or twice every night, and on a rare occasion 3 times, but I am like a newborn baby and need a good 8-10 hours of sleep, so I am in bed a bit longer than some.

If she's concerned she could go see a urologist, but since everyone is different I personally wouldn't be concerned.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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JoAnn29 Oct 28, 2025
I think by "elder" OP meant sister was older than her.
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I was thinking, maybe she does not completely void. She needs to wait a few seconds to get the urge again. Leaning forward helps.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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I am 76 and only go once in the middle of the night.
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People tend to vary. If she has had recent U/A as part of her well-woman exam or yearly checkup, then this may be normal for her. Do know that a big salt intake can make you retain urine during the day that the body processes at night. This tends to vary person to person. Again, key is to get a check with the MD when anything seems abnormal or troubling. Some things, like frequent urination, may indicate other issues should be checked; it can mean a pre-diabetic condition.

I would suggest doing an at home urine dip stick test to see if everything falls within the norms. These kits at very inexpensive in the pharmacy, and are good indicators or urinary health.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Sheri68 Oct 25, 2025
Thank you, Alvadeer, for the tip. I've never heard of these kids before. I will definitely check them out. Have a blessed day
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I will be 55 and go sometimes that often. Other than that I am in good health and it is mainly due excercising that increases my fluid intake after 8pm. I don't want to be thirsty so that is the price I pay. It is not consistantly night after night and when it occurs I attribute it to the amount of fluid intake I have had before bedtime. And, Alcohol increases my need to go (blushing).

My doctor said it isn't a concern since I am not incontinent, there is not pain associated with urination and there isn't blood in my urine. When I wake up there isn't an urgency and I could fall back asleep if I do not go but figure I might as well because if I don't in two hours I will be awake again.

I guess the more crucial question are what factors is contributing to your sisters need to go that often. It may be normal or it may not be.
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Reply to AMZebbC
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"No — that amount of nighttime urination (called nocturia) is not usually normal for a 55-year-old woman, especially if it happens every night.

A healthy adult typically sleeps through the night or wakes only once (if at all) to urinate.

Here’s how to think about it:

When it can be normal -

A few mild or situational factors can cause temporary nighttime urination:

- Drinking a lot of fluids (especially caffeine, alcohol, or water) in the evening
- Taking diuretic medications late in the day (for blood pressure or swelling)
- Perimenopause or menopause, when estrogen changes can affect bladder function
- Stress or poor sleep — sometimes people wake up and then decide to urinate, not the other way around

When it’s not normal and needs attention -

Frequent nocturia (2+ times nightly) may signal a medical issue, such as:

Overactive bladder or urinary tract infection (UTI)
Bladder prolapse or pelvic floor weakness
Uncontrolled diabetes or prediabetes
Sleep apnea (the body produces more urine when oxygen drops)
Heart or kidney conditions that cause fluid buildup during the day
Certain medications (e.g., diuretics, lithium, calcium channel blockers)

What she can do -

- Track fluid intake and timing for a few days (how much and when she drinks).
- Note urine volumes and frequency overnight.
- Avoid caffeine/alcohol after 4 p.m.
- Elevate legs for an hour before bed if ankles swell (to shift fluid earlier in the day).
- Schedule a checkup — her primary care doctor can order:
Urinalysis and urine culture
Blood sugar and kidney function tests
Sometimes an ultrasound or bladder scan

When to call the doctor sooner -

If she also notices:

- Pain, burning, or urgency when urinating
- Blood in urine
- Swelling in ankles or feet
- Sudden increase in thirst or fatigue

then she should see a doctor promptly, as those can indicate infection, diabetes, or other treatable causes."

Source: ChatGPT5
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