How to identify and treat for male urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is characterized by involuntary loss of urine and it can also affect men. It usually happens as a consequence of the removal of the prostate, but it can also happen due to an enlarged prostate, and in elderly people with Parkinson's, or who have had a stroke, for example.

The loss of total control of the urine can be cured with treatments such as medicine, physiotherapy and exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, but in the last case, surgery may be indicated. So it is always important to make an appointment with a urologist, in case of suspicion.

Possible symptoms to identify

Symptoms of male urinary incontinence can include:

• Drops of urine that remain in the underwear after urinating; Loss of frequent and irregular urine; Loss of urine in moments of effort, such as laughing, coughing or sneezing; Uncontrollable urge to urinate.

This disease can appear at any age, although it is more common after the age of 45, especially after the age of 70. The feelings that may be present until the moment of diagnosis and the start of treatment include worry, anguish, anxiety and change in sexual life, the which indicates the need to find a cure.

Men who experience the above symptoms should see a urologist, who is the doctor who specializes in the subject, in order to identify the problem and then begin treatment.

Treatment options

Treatment for male urinary incontinence can be done using medications, physical therapy or surgery, depending on the cause of the disease.

1. Remedies

The doctor may recommend taking anticholinergic, sympathomimetic or antidepressant drugs, but collagen and microspheres can also be placed in the urethra in case of sphincter injury after prostate surgery.

2. Physiotherapy and Exercises

In physiotherapy, electronic devices such as “biofeedback” can be used; the functional electrostimulation of the pelvic floor muscles with an endo-anal electrode, the tension or a combination of these methods.

The most suitable are Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic muscles and should be performed with an empty bladder, contracting the muscles keeping the contraction for 10 seconds, then relaxing for 15 seconds, repeating 10 times about three times a day. See the step by step of these exercises in this video:

Most men are able to normally control urine up to 1 year after prostate removal, using only Kegel exercises and biofeedback, but when there is still an involuntary loss of urine after this period, surgery may be indicated.

3. Natural treatment

Avoid drinking coffee and diuretic foods are great strategies to be able to hold your pee, see more tips in this video:

4. Surgery

The urologist can also indicate, as a last resort, surgery to place an artificial urinary sphincter or sling that is the creation of an obstruction in the urethra to prevent the loss of urine, for example.

What can cause 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 muscles involved, especially in the elderly; Brain changes or mental illness affecting mainly elderly people with Parkinson's or who have had a stroke; Bladder innervation problems.

The use of medications can also favor the loss of urine by decreasing pelvic muscle tone, for example.