Urinary incontinence can happen to both men and women. It’s more common in women because, frankly, their plumbing is a little more complicated than men’s, not to mention that many women endure pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and other factors that can contribute to forms of urinary incontinence.
It’s estimated that about 3.5 million men in the United States are living with some form of urinary incontinence. Many men will chalk up the condition to age, but the reality is urinary incontinence is not a normal part of the aging process in any way. It usually means something is wrong. Fortunately, in most cases, the problem of urinary incontinence is highly treatable. This is often done with easy-to-take oral medications prescribed by a urologist.
Irrational Feelings of Shame
According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 10% of all males who experience urinary incontinence in their lifetime also report a high level of stress brought on by the situation. Some men even say they would rather experience erectile dysfunction (ED) than be incontinent. This may be because the popular prescription solutions for ED, sildenafil (generic Viagra®) and tadalafil (generic Cialis®), have become commonplace and long since passed the uncomfortable stage for many men. Incontinence is still associated with embarrassment, even though the causes are often entirely out of a man’s control.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
There are five different types of urinary incontinence, some more prevalent in men and others in women. But they all essentially describe the same unwanted problem – a lack of bladder control.
Stress Incontinence
This form of urinary incontinence occurs as a result of physical activity. It could be something arduous, such as lifting a heavy object or exercising vigorously. It could also be something as simple as bending over to tie a shoe.
Urge Incontinence
The Mayo Clinic estimates that about 80% of men who suffer from urinary incontinence have this form of the condition. It is distinguished by a sudden contraction in the bladder that shouldn’t happen but triggers an irrepressible need to urinate. It can be so intense that reaching the bathroom is hard before it’s too late.
Overflow Incontinence
This happens when a person cannot empty the bladder during normal urination. The excess urine that remains in the bladder then leaks out unexpectedly.
Mixed Incontinence
In this case, a person has the symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence.
Functional Incontinence
In this case, the urinary tract functions fine, but other physical or mental impairments prevent a person from returning to the bathroom in time. For instance, an older person with severe arthritis might not be able to remove clothing quickly enough when the urge to urinate hits.
What Causes Urinary Incontinence In Men?
Several medical conditions can result in urinary incontinence. The most common among males is prostate problems. Whether an enlarged prostate (BPH) or the effects of prostate surgery, this organ is directly related to urinary function, and the root cause of urinary incontinence in men often revolves around prostate health. Other conditions that can contribute to incontinence include Parkinson’s Disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and an overactive bladder.
What Can You Do About Urinary Incontinence?
Luckily for men, there are a few ways to treat urinary incontinence. They range from simple exercises to minimally invasive surgical procedures. As you can imagine, doctors will recommend the least invasive solutions first. If it is a problem related to prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH, the first course of action is usually prescribing one of the proven urinary incontinence medications that are now available in generic forms for dramatic cost savings.
Tamsulosin (generic Flomax®) is an alpha-blocker that relaxes the muscles of the prostate, which helps patients with an enlarged prostate who are experiencing urge incontinence.
Finasteride (generic Proscar®) blocks an enzyme partly responsible for enlarging the prostate.
Dutasteride (generic Avodart®) also blocks an enzyme that enlarges the prostate.
These medications, along with a free remote consultation with a telemedicine physician, are available at MediSuite, a leading online provider of drugs to improve men’s health and wellness.
Other Ways To Help With Urinary Incontinence
Practices like meditation and breathing exercises can be beneficial as they’ve been shown to reduce the stress associated with incontinence and help a person better cope with frustrating situations.
Some men claim spicy and acidic foods can make an overactive bladder even worse. So, try adjusting your diet and see if you notice any benefits. Limiting alcohol (a diuretic that makes you pee more often) and caffeine can also make a difference for many men.
Kegel exercises are also worth a try. These are known to strengthen the pelvic muscles that help the bladder hold urine. How do you do them? You know those muscles you tense up to keep from passing gas? That’s them. Find them and have them for four sets of 10 seconds each day. Kegels can be done sitting, lying, or standing – whatever works best for you.
Finally, some men can train their bladders. To try this for yourself, go to the restroom every 30 minutes, whether you have to urinate or not. As you develop a rhythm, space it out over the next few weeks by expanding the time between bathroom breaks. With some luck, you may be able to space things out 3-4 hours before the urge to go hits.
Conclusion
First and foremost, male urinary incontinence is nothing to feel shame over. The condition is far more common than you probably thought. Besides, dwelling on the problem and feeling embarrassed won’t fix the situation. But taking action often will. Talk with your doctor or schedule a free telemedicine consultation at MediSuite. The solution to urinary incontinence may be a lot easier than you think.
FAQs
What is urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the bladder to the point a person leaks or dispels urine. Both men and women can suffer from urinary incontinence. Among women, it can be caused by weakened pelvic muscles related to pregnancy and childbirth. In men, it is often associated with an enlarged prostate.
How many men have urinary incontinence?
It’s estimated that about 3.5 million men in the United States suffer from some urinary incontinence. Of these men, up to 10% report feeling embarrassment or stress over the condition, which may lead many to avoid medical treatment that could help alleviate the problem.
Isn’t urinary incontinence normal as we get older?
No. Urinary incontinence is not a normal part of the aging process. It is a sign that something isn’t right, whether that’s an enlarged prostate or other condition. The good news is urinary incontinence is highly treatable in most cases, in men, often with prescription medications.
MediSuite.com is committed to men’s healthcare by providing doctor-prescribed medications at affordable prices delivered directly and discreetly to your door.