Urinary incontinence is characterized by involuntary loss of urine and it can also affect men. Usually it happens as a consequence of prostate withdrawal, but it can also happen due to prostate enlargement, and in elderly people with Parkinson's, or who have had a stroke, for example.
The loss of total urine control can be cured with treatments like remedies, physical therapy and exercise to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, but in the latter case, surgery may be indicated. It is therefore always important to make an appointment with a urologist in case of suspicion.
How to Identify Urinary Incontinence in Men
Symptoms of male urinary incontinence may include:
- Drops of urine that remain in your underwear after urinating;
- Frequent and irregular urine loss;
- Loss of urine during times of stress, such as laughing, coughing or sneezing;
- Uncontrollable urge to urinate.
This disease can occur at any age, although it is more common after age 45, especially after age 70. Feelings that may be present up to the time of diagnosis and initiation of treatment include worry, distress, anxiety and change in sex life, which indicates the need to find the cure.
Men who have the above symptoms should seek a urologist, who is the specialist physician in order to identify the problem and then start treatment.
Treatments for Urinary Incontinence in Men
Treatment for male urinary incontinence can be done with the use of medications, physical therapy or surgery depending on the cause of the disease.
1. Remedies
The doctor may recommend taking anticholinergic drugs, sympathomimetics or antidepressants, but you can also place collagen and microspheres in the urethra in case of sphincter damage after prostate surgery.
2. Physiotherapy and Exercises
In physical therapy, electronic devices such as "biofeedback" may be used; the functional electrostimulation of the pelvic floor muscles with the endo-anal electrode, the tension or a combination of these methods.
Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic muscles and should be performed with the bladder emptied, contracting the muscles by holding the contraction for 10 seconds, then relaxing for 15 seconds, repeating 10 times about three times a day. See the exercises step by step in this video:
3. Natural treatment
Avoiding coffee and diuretic foods are great strategies to get the pee insured, see more tips in this video:
4. Surgery
The urologist may also indicate as a last resort surgery for placement of an artificial urinary sphincter or sling which is creating an obstruction in the urethra to prevent loss of urine, for example.
What Causes Male Urinary Incontinence
It is common for men to have urinary incontinence after surgery to remove the prostate, because in surgery the muscles involved in urine control can be injured. But some other possible causes are:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia;
- Loss of control of the involved muscles, especially in the elderly;
- Brain changes or mental illness affecting mainly elderly with Parkinson's or who had stroke;
- Problems in the innervation of the bladder.
The use of medications as well may favor the loss of urine by decreasing pelvic muscle tone, for example.
