Urinary Incontinence in Men

*Urinary incontinence (UI) in men facts Medically Edited by: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

• The definition of urinary incontinence in men is the unintentional loss of urine. Weak bladder muscles, overactive bladder muscles, certain prostate conditions, and nerve damage are just some of the possible underlying causes of urinary incontinence in men.
• There are different types of urinary incontinence in men, including stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overflow incontinence.
• Diagnosis of urinary incontinence in men may involve a physical exam, an ultrasound, urodynamic testing, and tests including an electroencephalogram (EEG) and an electromyogram (EMG). The doctor will also take a medical history and may recommend keeping a bladder diary.
• Treatment of urinary incontinence in men may include behavioral treatments, like bladder training and Kegel exercises, medication, surgery, or a combination of these therapies. Support groups may also be recommended.
• Research is ongoing to discover new and better treatments for urinary incontinence in men.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is the accidental leakage of urine. At different ages, males and females have different risks for developing UI. In childhood, girls usually develop bladder control at an earlier age than boys, and bedwetting -- or nocturnal enuresis -- is less common in girls than in boys. However, adult women are far more likely than adult men to experience UI because of anatomical differences in the pelvic region and the changes induced by pregnancy and childbirth. Nevertheless, many men do suffer from incontinence. Its prevalence increases with age, but UI is not an inevitable part of aging.

UI is a treatable problem. To find a treatment that addresses the root of the problem, you need to talk with your health care provider. The three forms of UI are

• stress incontinence, which is the involuntary loss of urine during actions -- such as coughing, sneezing, and lifting -- that put abdominal pressure on the bladder
• urge incontinence, which is the involuntary loss of urine following an overwhelming urge to urinate that cannot be halted
• overflow incontinence, which is the constant dribbling of urine usually associated with urinating frequently and in small amounts

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/urinary_incontinence/article.htm