Bladder issues such as Urinary Incontinence and Overactive Bladder affect millions of Americans, but it is not normal. There are many easy and effective treatment options available to improve your bladder function and therefore, your quality of life.
Urinary incontinence is defined as the inability to control your bladder, resulting in leakage or complete loss of bladder control. This may happen suddenly, or when you cough, laugh, or sneeze.
Overactive Bladder (OAB) is when the bladder contracts before it is full, causing you to feel an intense urge to go, even if you went just a few hours ago. Unlike Urinary Incontinence, Overactive Bladder may not always cause a leakage of urine. Instead, it is the frequent or intense urge to urinate suddenly, even when your bladder is not full. You likely experience Overactive Bladder if you wake up multiple times at night to urinate or urinate more than eight times a day.
Common Causes of Bladder Issues in Men
- Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
- Prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate
- Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or stroke
- Some medications
Treatment for Urinary Incontinence and Overactive Bladder in Men
- Behavioral Treatments: Limiting fluids at certain times of the day, adjusting your diet to limit any foods that may trigger urinary incontinence, incorporating Kegels or bladder training exercises into your day
- Medicine: Oral medications that relax the bladder and prevent it from contracting or block unwanted nerve signals telling you that your bladder is full when it is not
- Non-Surgical Treatments: Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) is a non-surgical way to say electrical impulses to the sacral nerves responsible for bladder control
- Surgical Options: Surgical options for Urinary Incontinence may include the placement of an artificial sphincter that inflates to block urinary leakage or a male sling that compresses the urethra, preventing leakage. Surgical options for OAB may include Botox injections into the bladder or InterStim, an implantable neurostimulator that delivers electrical impulses to the sacral nerves responsible for bladder control.