Men’s Incontinence
Chartered Physiotherapists have a central role in treating incontinence. After a detailed assessment, our men’s health Physiotherapist may teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold urine in the bladder, along with other techniques to retrain the bladder, lifestyle changes and advice to promote and maintain continence. You may also be asked to maintain a voiding diary and give details of your general medical history.
If the muscle strengthening exercises are proving ineffective for you, Biofeedback and Electrotherapy may be used to help activate and stimulate the muscles.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence is the accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder.
Research indicates that the frequency of Urinary Incontinence is much higher than expected. Studies show that 2% to as much as 60% of people experience Urinary Incontinence at some stage in their lives. It is very common for men to experience Urinary Incontinence.
What causes UI in men?
Nerve problems: Any disease, condition or injury that affects the nerves such as long-term Diabetes, Stroke, Parkinsons, and Multiple Sclerosis, an overactive bladder or spinal cord injury can lead to urination problems. Nerve problems are not age restrictive.
Prostate problems: Urinary incontinence is commonly experienced after investigations for or treatment of prostate gland problems including prostate cancer. Age may also contribute to urinary incontinence. As men get older the prostate becomes larger and can often put pressure on the urethra and in turn affect the flow of the urinary stream.
For many, Urinary Incontinence can be an embarrassing and sensitive topic, but it needn’t be. The good news is – it’s treatable and in most cases can be treated successfully with specific exercises designed to strengthen the muscles that hold urine in the bladder. Once the pelvic floor muscles (see diagram below) become weak, your ability to hold urine and / or wind during physical activity is compromised. Like any other muscle of the body the more you use and exercise them, the better they will function.
Many men regain urinary control after making a few minor habitual changes and making the most of the exercises. If the strengthening exercises are proving ineffective for you, Biofeedback and Electrotherapy may be used to help activate and stimulate the muscles.
Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence
If you suffer from incontinence, you probably have two or more of the following symptoms:
- Involuntary loss of urine or a continuous leakage of urine from the bladder.
- A frequent and urgent need to urinate.
- A feeling that your bladder is constantly full or that it isn't empty after you have urinated.
- Difficulty urinating even if you have the urge.
- Releases of urine triggered by movement or by coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
- The need to get up repeatedly at night to urinate
- A start-and-stop stream during urination.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
There are two predominant types of Urinary Incontinence - Stress Incontinence and Urge Incontinence.
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence is the most common form of Urinary Incontinence that affects both men and women. Stress Incontinence is when the bladder leaks, perhaps with a cough or sneeze, or during light or strenuous activity that puts strain on the bladder. This is generally due to weakness in the Pelvic Floor muscles. Most cases of Stress Incontinence can be successfully treated with straight forward muscle strengthening exercises which our Physiotherapist can assist you with.
Urge Incontinence
Urge Incontinence involves a strong, sudden need to urinate. The bladder then contracts, leading to urine leakage. Urge Incontinence can affect both men and women. In most cases, Urge Incontinence can be successfully treated by our men’s health Physiotherapist using a series of simple yet effective muscle strengthening exercises.
People may have Stress Incontinence or Urge Incontinence or a mixture of both.
It is important to remember that patients should not suffer incontinence in silence. If you have this problem, book in for a considerate and confidential appointment with our Physiotherapist who will examine you and advise you as to the best solution for your particular form of incontinence.
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