OBJECTIVES: Nocturia, waking to urinate ≥ 2 times during the night, is a chronic condition typically present in >50% of men and women over 60 years old and associated with significant patient burden due to sleep disruption. This study explored the lived experiences of patients with nocturia including disruptions to their lives during the night and day. METHODS: We interviewed patients diagnosed with nocturia who had experienced symptoms in the past two weeks. Open-ended questions and follow-up probes were employed to explore patient experiences at all times of the day. Qualitative analysis of patients’ narratives formed a summary of their experiences, including any apparent contrasts between patients.  RESULTS: Twenty patients were interviewed (n=10 male, n=10 female), with a mean age of 64 (range 39–80) and an average time since diagnosis of 26 months (range 7 – 69 months). Most patients reported 3 nightly voids; the frequency of voids influenced nocturia’s impact on sleep quality and quantity. In addition to night-time phenomena, patients faced difficulties ‘the next day’. These included day-time tiredness and lack of energy, and concerns related to emotional wellbeing (e.g. feeling irritable), social functioning (e.g. avoidance of sleeping away from home) and cognitive functioning (e.g. concentration); all of these limited patients’ capacity to work, perform daily activities or fulfil role responsibilities. Experiences were largely dictated by patients’ lifestyles; younger patients in employment more readily emphasised the day-time physical and psychosocial burdens. Patients attempted to lessen the severity of nocturia and its impact, through coping behaviours which were physician-led (e.g. avoidance of caffeine) or self-taught (e.g. daytime napping). CONCLUSIONS: While the symptom of nocturia only occurs during the night, the impact on patients is longer lasting, affecting functioning and wellbeing throughout the following day. Patients’ circumstances can affect the extent of their burden; recognising this can help improve effective management and patient-centred care.