MALE INCONTINENCE

Helping Solve Incontinence Symptoms in Men

MALE INCONTINENCE

MALE INCONTINENCE

Urinary incontinence is the accidental release of urine. Both men and women are at greater risk for developing some degree of urinary incontinence as the muscles of the bladder and sphincter weaken with age. There are three basic types of male incontinence, stress incontinence, urge incontinence and overflow incontinence and each type of incontinence has its own range of severity. Incontinence is not a disease; however, it is a symptom of another condition such as enlarged prostate. If you experience urinary incontinence that affects your daily activities or is impacting your quality of life, schedule an appointment with Blue Ridge Urological today at (540) 932-5926.

CAUSES OF MALE INCONTINENCE:

If you have an enlarged prostate, it can be normal to experience some loss of bladder control. There are many causes of incontinence and it usually depends on which type of incontinence you have.

This type of incontinence occurs when laughing, sneezing, coughing or sports activities puts pressure on the bladder. Removing the prostate gland can exacerbate stress incontinence in men. Other factors can make stress incontinence worse including being overweight, chronic illness that causes coughing and smoker’s cough.

Occurs when the muscles of the bladder contract or squeeze the urine past the sphincter at the wrong time. Patients may experience an urgent need to urinate and have trouble making it to the bathroom in time. This may be caused by the nerves controlling the urinary system or bladder irritation due to inflammation, infection, bladder stones, a blockage or prostate enlargement.

This form of incontinence most often occurs when there is a blockage in the urethra that keeps the bladder from being able to empty completely. The blockage may be a result of an enlarged prostate. Overflow incontinence may also be the result of weak bladder or sphincter muscles. Patients can experience a constant need to urinate without producing much urine.

  • Chronic cough as with smoking or lung disease
  • Bladder infections
  • Weak pelvic floor muscles
  • Weak sphincter muscle
  • Obstruction in the urinary tract
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Excess alcohol consumption

DIAGNOSING MALE INCONTINENCE

If you are struggling with the loss of bladder control, you will find Blue Ridge Urological offers a wide range of testing options to determine the cause of your urinary leakage so that we can implement the best course of treatment for you. Your urologist will perform a physical examination, record your medical history to include any medications that you are currently taking and possibly order testing.

Male incontinence testing may include:

  • Physical examination

  • Urine tests

  • Blood tests

  • Ultrasound

  • Urodynamic tests

Depending on the results of your tests, your doctor will be able to determine the most effective treatment plan starting with the most conservative options.

RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING MALE INCONTINENCE

Patients who have had surgery for prostate cancer or who have prostate enlargement are at a greater risk for developing urinary incontinence.

Other factors that increase the risk of UI include:

  • Age

  • Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis

  • Obesity

  • Sedentary lifestyle

TREATMENT FOR MALE INCONTINENCE

Urinary incontinence is a treatable condition. When loss of bladder control starts to affect the quality of your life or keeps you from performing your daily activities, it is time to see a doctor. Blue Ridge Urological specializes in treating all aspects of the urinary tract and can recommend some lifestyle modifications and other therapies that may alleviate the symptoms of urinary incontinence.

Your doctor may choose to begin treating urinary incontinence conservatively with lifestyle modifications. There are certain modifications including fluid management, bladder training and pelvic floor strengthening exercises that you can incorporate into your daily activities that may improve the symptoms of urinary incontinence. Some medications can be prescribed to help calm overactive bladder muscles, increase the amount of urine the bladder can hold and encourage the complete emptying of the bladder.

For severe cases of urinary incontinence, there are minimally invasive surgical options that may be considered. If incontinence is caused by an enlarged prostate, your urologist may want to remove some or all of the prostate to alleviate the pressure on the urethra so that the bladder can empty. A sling procedure is used to create support around the neck of the bladder which will help keep it closed under the physical stress of coughing, sneezing, laughing and running.

Urinary incontinence can impact your daily life as well as the normal activities you enjoy. Blue Ridge Urological understands the importance of diagnosing and treating urinary incontinence so you get back to doing what you love with confidence. If you have urinary incontinence or would like to learn more about how urinary incontinence is treated, call Blue Ridge Urological today at (540) 932-5926.

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