Incontinence. If this is one of the prohibited terms in your dictionary, you are not alone. Many men feel the same way. But the times have changed, and it’s only right that some subjects make it to the light of day without criticism. It is especially true for men’s incontinence. While how far most have come with talking about and accepting medical issues is commendable, getting the men on the same level as the women will take more than a few campaigns. This article provides insight into male incontinence; read on.
Incontinence Is Not Only A Female Issue
Incontinence has been associated with the female gender since time immemorial. And there are good reasons. Women are likely to be incontinent from young to middle age. Secondly, women get continence products for their family members. Compared to their counterparts, men also find it challenging to incorporate pad-wearing into their day-to-day lives. But did you know? Men have various choices of ‘cricket box’ shaped pads.
What Are the Stats About Men’s Incontinence?
According to the Continence Foundation of Australia, 10% of Australian men deal with urinary incontinence. Surprisingly, more than a third are below the age of 50. Causes of male incontinence include prostate issues, bladder infections, previous pelvic surgeries, obesity, and diabetes. Typically, the condition results from a bladder that isn’t holding or releasing as it should, leading to urine leakages.
Why does this happen?
- The brain fails to signal the bladder correctly.
- Poor performance from muscles around the bladder
- Possibility of blockage in the urinary system.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
· Urgency incontinence
Also called the overactive bladder, it happens to both men and women. Its symptom is a sudden, compelling feeling. The brain tells the bladder to empty itself, even with little urine to pass. In some cases, the bladder muscles may try to squeeze out urine even before the bladder is full.
· Stress incontinence
It is where one leaks urine as the bladder reacts to any pressure. These include coughing, sneezing, exercising, lifting something heavy, or laughing. While men can develop it as they age, it is common among women. It can also happen after prostate surgery, spinal cord or brain surgery, urinary tract trauma or surgery, and genital surgery.
· Overflow incontinence
It occurs when the bladder doesn’t empty correctly and is common among men. As a result, the bladder fills up with excess urine and overflows, leading to urine leaks. Its symptoms include having trouble starting your urine flow, the need to pee often in the day and night, and discomfort when urinating.
Initiatives to Help the Men
Men not only face the issue of wearing continence products. It also extends to their disposal. The males lack disposal bins in their toilets like the women. While 1.34 million Australian men live with this condition, it’s sad that only a few bins are available in male public restrooms. Yet, these toilet essentials would help reduce the number of incontinence products flushed and disposed of inappropriately.
A Strong Pelvic Floor for Incontinent Men
Most men committed to gym activities dismiss and underestimate the power of pelvic floor exercises. Men should opt for professional guidance in training their pelvic floors. The exercise trains the muscles responsible for controlling urine flow. Men can also reap benefits, like naturally treating incontinence early and tightening the pelvic floor after surgery.
Conclusion
Male incontinence is a health risk that needs to be open for discussion from our living rooms to workplaces. It will give the affected men a voice and boost their life quality. It will also help them earn the confidence they need to carry out their daily activities without worrying about their condition.