Urinary Incontinence (Stress), Male
Stress incontinence
Urinary Incontinence (Stress), Male Symptoms
- Urine leaking (incontinence)
Urinary Incontinence (Stress), Male Overview
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control that causes urine to leak out. There are three types of incontinence. Urge incontinence occurs when the urge to urinate is so strong that you often don't make it to the bathroom in time. Overflow incontinence occurs when you feel as though you never completely empty your bladder and urine dribbles out unexpectedly. Stress incontinence is the loss of urine during activity or when you cough, sneeze, or stand up. Men have stress incontinence typically after having prostate surgery for prostate cancer or benign prostate disease. Prostate surgery may damage the sphincter muscle, which controls the flow of urine. Urinary incontinence can be distressing, but it is treatable. Pelvic floor exercises, biofeedback, injection therapy, and surgery can treat stress incontinence in men.
Go to the Incontinence & OAB Health Center
What to Expect
Most men have some incontinence for several weeks after prostate surgery. Your doctor may tell you to perform Kegel exercises before and after surgery to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Doing these exercises may help you regain bladder control more quickly. How completely you recover depends how much damage occurred in the muscles and nerves around the prostate. Some men manage mild incontinence by using absorbent pads. If you continue to have stress incontinence six months after surgery, your doctor may discuss other treatment options with you. Treatments include biofeedback, injecting material into the urethra, and different types of surgery. It's important to discuss the effectiveness and possible side effects of each type of treatment with your doctor so you can decide what's best for you.
What Happens with Stress Incontinence in Men?
How Common
An estimated 25 million adults in the U.S. have urinary incontinence.
Treatment
Treatment for stress incontinence in men includes:
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Biofeedback
- Injecting material into the wall of the urethra to narrow the opening
- Male sling surgery
- Artificial urinary sphincter surgery
Know Your Treatment Options
Self Care
Self-care for stress incontinence in men includes:
- Losing weight, if needed
- Doing pelvic floor exercises
- Using absorbent pads
- Avoiding fluids at certain times of the day
- Planning regular bathroom stops
What You Can Do at Home to Ease Your Symptoms
Made Worse By
Obesity
, drinking a lot of fluids
When to See Your Doctor
If you are having problems with incontinence, see your doctor. If you have a fever, sharp pains in your groin or back, have discharge from your penis, or have blood in your urine, get immediate medical help.
Should You Make an Appointment?
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What is causing my incontinence?
- How long can I expect it to last?
- What are my treatment options?
- How effective are the different types of treatment?
10 Questions for Your Doctor
Diagnosed By
Your doctor can diagnose urinary incontinence by taking your medical history, doing a physical exam, and taking a urine sample. You may be asked to keep a diary about your bladder symptoms. Other tests may include urodynamics testing to see how well your bladder works. You may also have a cystoscopy, where a lighted, flexible tube is used to examine the inside of your bladder.
Exams & Tests for Urinary Incontinence
