More Education on Incontinence in Men

 About 25 million Americans have urinary incontinence - that's about 8%. It's estimated that three-fourths are women, that leaves more than five million men with bladder problems. Assuming the same ratios work for New Zealand, that's 90,000 men. (Pop 4.4mil - 8% with incontinence - then 25% men) Are you in the New Zealand male statistic?  If you are aged over 60, it's highly likely you are or soon will be. Men can have incontinence due to an enlarged prostate or prostate surgery, but other causes may play a role too.


It's more than a few drips.
Most men have mild post-void (after toilet) drips, hence the oft-quoted, "No matter how much you shake and dance, the last two drops get on your pants." But frequent, excess leakage after urination is not normal. If it makes you uncomfortable, shows through your clothes or causes skin irritation, it's a form of incontinence -- and it could be a symptom of a more serious problem.

Incontinence is not uncommon.
Between 2 percent and 15 percent of men ages 15 to 64, and 5 percent to 15 percent of men over 60 who live at home (as opposed to a nursing home), have incontinence.

If patients have stress incontinence and have not had prostate surgery, another condition -- such as a neurological disorder, spinal injury or diabetes -- may be to blame.


Body changes as we age can be a problem.
As you age, the muscles that control bladder function start to lose strength, and weight gain can put extra pressure on the bladder. Cigarette smoking, heavy drinking and diabetes also increase a man's risk of bladder problems.


Prostate issues are a major factor.
Most men experience prostate enlargement with age. It can block the urethra and cause overflow incontinence, which is the leakage of a small amount of urine, or difficulty urinating. 


Purpose-designed male products work.
Manufactures of adult absorbent products have at last recognized that the male anatomy is different from female. Dryfella stocks a wide range of options from MoliCare, Abri-Man and Attends. All are top quality products.


Fluid intake matters.
Watching your fluid intake could help improve your incontinence symptoms, even without medication or surgery.

Sometimes men drink full six-packs of beer, and if your resistance is already low, then that's going to cause a problem. If you make more urine, you stress the system. Limiting alcohol in general, as well as caffeine and carbonated beverages, can help. Staying hydrated and drinking water when you're thirsty is always healthy, but there's no need to aim for a certain number of glasses a day.


Skin problems shouldn't be ignored.
Chronic leakage and post-void 'after-dribble' tends to cause skin irritation in men. Men have more problems with rashes and skin fungus, and often don't give enough attention to the perineal area around the scrotum. Moisturizers and barrier creams can keep skin from becoming too dry and inflamed. Men who use absorbent pads or products should change them every few hours to prevent infection.


Men have issues some women don't.
Men can face unique physical and emotional challenges with incontinence. Women are used to wearing pads several days of the month, whereas men are not socially attuned to wearing anything down there. Just the idea can be really embarrassing for them.


It may also be hard to avoid situations where leakage is common.

More men than women might have jobs that entail heavy lifting, for example, or friends might expect participation in sports like golf and tennis, which can put pressure on the bladder.

Older men have bladder leakage issues.

I was surprised to find that around 10% of men over 60 can experience bladder leakage and of course that percentage increases through the 60s and beyond to the stage where it's highly likely most men over 80 will have the condition.

But let's go back to the 60 plus group.  There's no firm statistics on the10% and of course there is the aside factor of men having urethral or prostate health issues.  Where surgery is required, generally related to urethral strictures, prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) or prostate cancer, there is post surgery leakage and this can continue for quite a while.

Men often don't regard the bladder leakage problem at its onset.  All they notice is it gets slightly difficult to complete a void. (emptying of the urethra) - the canal down the penis from the bladder. What's happening is the opening in the bladder is not closing off firmly due to age weakening. These droplets or very small flows run down the urethra until the void is finally completed.  Trouble is, if they have put their penis back in their underpants before all that happens, they get wet splashes down their leg - and that can be quite a shock at first.  And, if they have any open skin on their leg the urine splash will sting a bit. Of course if they have eaten asparagus in the last couple of meals they are likely to have a smell in their pants.  All rather unpleasant. It should not be ignored.

Some of this bladder weakness is normal and can be easily managed by using a small discreet shield or pad - see these on our website www.dryfella.co.nz - but if you suspect a medical problem you should consult your doctor.  The point is it's important that men understand what's going on and take control accordingly.  There is no excuse for wetness, smells and infection simply because this quite normal part of the aging process is happening.  Ignorance and disregard are no excuse at all.

Don't leave it until a close family member or maybe a friend has to take you aside and suggest you have a problem because you have begun to smell.  Of course that happens because your pants start to smell.  Typically, underpants aren't changed often enough - these should be washed every day - and pants should be washed or dry-cleaning regularly too.  It's easier and healthier to where a shield or pad. 

The dryfellas 
info@dryfella.co.nz

Incomplete emptying can cause light bladder leakage in men!

To achieve more complete bladder emptying, a urinal is out of the question. Sitting on a toilet and encouraging the bladder to empty seems to help.  It also seems that if you go into a cubicle, the relative privacy of the environment can help make the visit complete.

The thing is, men have to be a little patient. Most light leakage occurs when men are in a hurry - and sadly - that seems to be often. Also, many men need to go again within minutes.  The trouble is men rush to the toilet and don't take their time to fully empty the urethra. 

For most men, if they take their time - or more like - if they don't rush their visit to the toilet - they won't suffer from the embarrassment of light bladder leakage.

Urine can simply collect in the widest part of your urethra and is not 'voided' completely. You can help with your hand by using gentle pressure behind your scrotum to force out any remaining urine.

You can also try exercise to strengthen the pelvic muscles. This can be done anywhere as you tense, hold and relax your pelvic muscles. However, this shouldn't be done too often because 'urine retention' is not recommended.

If you are suffering from light bladder leakage you should talk to your GP.  In the meantime, using one of the 'light leakage' shields available here will at least 'catch' the drips for you. Order a 'light' Trial Pack so you can try out a few solutions and decide whichsuits you best.

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