Living with Incontinence

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As we age, something as simple as urinating can become complicated. Just laughing, sneezing, coughing, or lifting an object can cause your bladder to leak. Male urinary incontinence is almost always linked to trouble with the prostate, except in the cases of functional incontinence where you are unable to get to the bathroom in time due to mobility issues.

The good news is that excellent treatment and management options are available today to help you live with this challenging condition. The first step is a careful evaluation of what triggers those difficult moments. We recommend consulting with your primary care physician as they can suggest possible medication and helpful strategies to improve your control over your bladder.

How Male Urinary Incontinence Works 

Urinary incontinence means the involuntary or accidental leakage of urine from the bladder. In the majority of cases, it is a matter of little leakage. The most common kinds of male urinary incontinence are stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Stress incontinence is when any pressure is put on your bladder and it cannot endure it. This pressure can be slight, and can come from sneezing, coughing, laughing, lifting something, or any other activity. In men, this is generally caused by issues in the sphincter or rings of muscle that squeeze close to shut off the bladder.

The most common cause of stress incontinence in men is prostate surgery; it weakens the muscles, causing urine to leak out whenever. Men suffering from prostate cancer may also experience stress incontinence after receiving radiation treatment.

An involuntary contraction of your bladder muscles – also known as an overactive bladder – is a usual cause of urge incontinence. Sometimes, this is related to long-term blockage in the form of an enlarged prostate. This is when you suddenly feel a strong urge to go but urine starts to leak out before you can make it. Many men notice that they have specific triggers that set off this “urge”, such as rising after sitting, entering a cold room, or hearing running water.

The Negative Impact Of Living With Male Urinary Incontinence

Male urinary incontinence can have many side effects if not managed properly:

Increased Stress: Incontinence can make everyday activities pretty stressful. Urine leakages can lead to patches and stains on your clothing, and odors can be a problem too, especially if you are using adult diapers or pads. This is enough to make anyone avoid going out and socializing for the fear of getting the wrong kind of attention.

Lack of Sleep: If you are living with incontinence, and you are not using a reliable product to manage it, it can disrupt your sleep. You may even dread going to sleep at night due to fear that you might wet the bed. Based on this, you wake regularly throughout the night and go to the toilet just to be safe. This can disrupt your sleep cycles and as a result, weaken your immune system. 

Difficult-to-Manage Work Like: Not all employees have the option to be close to a toilet all the time. If you do have access to a bathroom, making regular trips may get you a call from your boss. This can lead to concerns about job security, creating even more anxiety and stress!

Please note that we are not listing these effects to scare you – our goal is to help you consider the impact of male urinary incontinence on your life so you can take action early. Talking to your doctor and using an innovative incontinence management device like Men’s Liberty can make all the difference in the world for you.

Here’s How You Can Effectively Manage Incontinence

Depending on the type of incontinence you have, the following strategies and lifestyle changes can help:

Avoid “trigger” beverages: Many men have found that drinking tea, coffee, soda, or alcoholic beverages can set off the urges. If you know that your bladder is highly sensitive to certain drinks, avoid those.

Get Fit: Being obese or overweight can put additional pressure on your bladder, making things worse. Losing some pounds may alleviate the condition.

Kegel Exercises: Contrary to popular belief, Kegel exercises are not just for women. For men suffering from stress and urge incontinence, it can help to perform Kegels to tighten up the pelvic floor muscles. Your doctor or a urologist can teach you on how to do these properly. You can also consult a physical therapist for training.

Medications: A variety of medications are available for urge incontinence that target overactive muscles in the bladder. These drugs, however, come with many side effects so be very cautious. It should be noted that there is no FDA-approved medication for the treatment of stress incontinence as of yet.

Male Urinary Incontinence Products: There are a variety of incontinence products and supplies in the market that can help you live a comfortable life with incontinence. These include adult diapers, absorbent pads, condom catheters, self-catheterizing products, and more. Men’s Liberty is one of them.

Uniquely Designed Male UI Products From Men’s Liberty

For over 20 years, Men’s Liberty has worked in the medical industry to support men with incontinence with the aim to help them live life as enjoyably and actively as possible. We have designed a unique, patented external urine collection device for men, which is far more efficient than diapers, and 100% non-invasive.

Our range of products is diverse and includes:

  •       Men’s Liberty external catheter: it directs the urine away from your skin and into an odor-proof, leak-proof bag.
  •       FreeDerm adhesive remover: it is a specially-formulated, hypoallergenic formula that removes all kinds of adhesive residues from the skin with ZERO pain.
  •       KindKlamp: it is a penile clamp designed to prevent accidental leaks when applying an external catheter
  •       BioPlus+ Prep Wipes: these wipes protect your skin from body fluids and adhesive stripping, and improve adhesion.

Order Your Men’s Liberty Starter Bundle Today

In addition to our online store, we also have a discreet phone ordering service, and our customer care representatives are friendly and knowledgeable. If you’d like to talk to us before placing an order online, or would like to learn how to get your Men’s Liberty covered by your insurance provider, please call us at 888-412-9329 or contact us online

Additionally, we know asking for advice on bladder issues and other types of incontinence can often feel difficult or embarrassing. We have a variety of resources to help you on your journey, whether you are interested in learning more about the symptoms and signs that come with UI or hoping to gain some great tips and advice for managing your condition.

Also, see Temporary vs Persistent Incontinence.

For more ideas on how to manage your incontinence, visit our blog.