Do you experience male incontinence? You're not alone. According to the Mayo Clinic, between 3% and 10% of men experience symptoms of incontinence during their lifetime. The true number may be higher. Some men may feel embarrassed and suffer in silence, but you don't have to. Today, male incontinence is often highly treatable.
There's no reason to be ashamed of incontinence. This condition has many causes and can affect men who are still strong and active. If you're a man concerned about incontinence, or a woman seeking information to help a male family member, this article will provide an overview of everything you need to know.
Types of Male Incontinence
Incontinence is defined as the inability to control urination and bowel movements. In men, urinary incontinence is more prevalent. Men are also more likely to experience different types of urinary incontinence than women. However, all types of incontinence become more common with advanced age, regardless of gender.
Overflow Incontinence
Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder is incapable of emptying completely. It becomes overly full, which results in leakage or "dribbling." Symptoms of this type of incontinence in men include:
- A frequent urge to urinate, especially at night (nocturia)
- Difficulty starting the flow of urine, followed by a "weak" flow
- Pressure in the lower abdomen, or discomfort and straining while urinating
- A sensation that your bladder is still full, even after urinating
Men may experience overflow incontinence when there is a blockage affecting their bladder or urethra. It may also occur when the muscles surrounding the bladder lose their ability to fully expel urine from the body.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder (OAB), is characterized by a sudden, overpowering need to urinate. Men with urge incontinence may find themselves rushing to the nearest restroom, often during inconvenient moments. Other symptoms include:
- Having "accidents" en route to a restroom
- Urinating while asleep
- An inability to hold your urine
- A strong need to urinate after seeing or hearing running water
This type of incontinence happens when the brain sends a false signal to the bladder, telling it to empty itself even if you have already recently urinated. It can also occur because of overactive muscles.
Stress Incontinence
Do you ever experience leakage or dribbling after sneezing, coughing, laughing, or intense exercise? This is called stress incontinence. Stress incontinence in men happens when the bladder feels physical pressure.
Women are much more likely to experience stress incontinence than men. However, it can still impact males as they age, or experience certain physical ailments or surgeries affecting their pelvic floor muscles.
Functional Incontinence
Functional incontinence occurs when factors that are unrelated to the bladder prevent an individual from "making it" to the urinal or toilet. It's most common among men of advanced age and men with certain disabilities. Men may experience functional incontinence due to:
- Vision problems
- Being a wheelchair user or using other mobility aids
- Neurological conditions, such as dementia
- Arthritis or other physical conditions affecting the hands, which make it difficult to operate zippers and buttons
Transient Incontinence
As the name suggests, transient incontinence is an acute condition that is temporary. It usually occurs as a side effect of medications, surgical recovery, urinary tract infections or inflammation, or other short-term health issues. It can also be caused by excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or other diuretic substances.
Transient incontinence can occur in men of all ages. However, it is one of the easiest types of male incontinence to treat. It generally resolves on its own once the underlying condition is addressed. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as quitting caffeine.
Mixed Incontinence
Finally, many men with incontinence will experience a combination of the types and symptoms listed above. This is known as "mixed incontinence." For example, it's common to experience urge incontinence and overflow incontinence at the same time.
The good news is that most treatments for incontinence can address a wide range of different symptoms, regardless of which type of incontinence you or your loved one may experience.
What Causes Incontinence in Men?
Incontinence in men has many potential causes. Age, disability, lifestyle, and underlying medication conditions are often at the root of male incontinence. Other contributing factors may include:
Prostate Issues
An enlarged prostate often puts pressure on the urethra and bladder, which can cause difficulty controlling the flow of urine. Additionally, medical interventions for prostate conditions – such as surgery or radiation therapy for prostate cancer – may result in nerve damage or muscle weakness that can lead to urinary incontinence.
Medical Conditions and Injuries
Medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and spinal cord injuries can trigger incontinence due to nerve damage or disrupted communication between the bladder and the brain. Other conditions, like Alzheimer's, may induce functional incontinence.
Aging and Lifestyle Factors
Old age does not guarantee incontinence. However, some men become sedentary with age and abandon their healthy habits. Over time, a lack of physical activity can cause the muscles around the bladder to atrophy, which leads to loss of control. Poor habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, and being obese may also increase the risk of developing incontinence.
Incontinence Treatments
If you are experiencing symptoms of incontinence, treatment is available. You may be able to prevent your symptoms from worsening, or reverse your incontinence altogether, through lifestyle changes and medical interventions.
Your doctor may advise several treatments depending upon your age, general health, and the severity of your incontinence. Common treatments may consist of the following:
- Physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
- Behavioral therapies, such as bladder training and biofeedback
- Cutting out diuretic foods and adopting a special diet for overactive bladder
- Discreet absorbent pads or underwear
- Medications
- Surgical procedures
You're Not Alone
Male incontinence may be an early sign of other health issues, so it's important to speak to a medical provider if you experience these symptoms. But incontinence isn't shameful. Millions of men struggle with urinary incontinence, 3.4 million to be exact, in the United States.
Take charge of your health and talk to your doctor today to learn more about preventing and treating incontinence.