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Urinary Incontinence

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Urinary incontinence (UI) is the accidental leakage of urine. UI is more common as people age. But it is not a normal part of aging. Men may experience UI as a result of prostate problems or nerve damage caused by certain diseases, conditions, or injuries. Nerve problems can occur at any age.

• Men who have had diabetes for many years may develop nerve damage that affects bladder control and sexual function.
• Stroke, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis all affect the brain and nervous system, so they can also cause incontinence.
• Overactive bladder is a condition in which the bladder squeezes at the wrong time. The condition may be caused by nerve problems, or it may occur without any clear cause. A person with overactive bladder may have any two or all three of the following symptoms:
  • urinary frequency—urination eight or more times a day or two or more times at night
  • urinary urgency—the sudden, strong need to urinate immediately
  • urge incontinence—urine leakage that follows a sudden, strong urge
• Spinal cord injury can cause incontinence by interrupting the nerve signals needed for bladder control.
• In neural birth defects such as spina bifida, the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. In severe cases, nerve damage can result in many problems, including lack of bladder control.

If you have any urination problems, talk to a doctor or nurse so that you can get a proper diagnosis. There are a variety of treatment options, and no single treatment works for everyone. Your treatment will depend on the type and severity of your problem. Many men regain urinary control by changing a few habits and doing exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold urine in the bladder. If these lifestyle treatments do not work, you may choose to try medicines or a special device. For some men, surgery is the best choice.

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