How Urinary Incontinence in Men Is Different Than with Women

Urinary incontinence is a condition that isn’t uncommon in adults, especially those that are older. While it’s usually more common for women to experience incontinence, it’s a condition that many men deal with as well. There are a few cases in which the symptoms and the causes of the ailment present themselves differently. Learn the differences regarding urinary incontinence in men and women.

The Prostate

We can credit one of the most common causes of incontinence for men to issues with the prostate. This gland, which is the size of a walnut, expands as men age. As it grows larger, is can begin to put additional pressure on the urethra and therefore cause leaking to occur. Age or stress can also cause damage to the nerves or muscles that work in conjunction with your bladder. This, in turn, can make urine more difficult to hold.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms associated with urinary incontinence in men and women, and some of them may present themselves in either gender. A few of these include the following:

• Unintentional leaking when laughing or coughing
• Pain when urinating
• A frequent urge to urinate
• Waking up several times throughout the night to urinate
• The inability to hold your urine in before reaching a restroom

While the above symptoms can affect either gender, a few are unique to men. The most common of these is a weak or inconsistent stream. If you experience one or both of these symptoms, you may have urinary continence and want to consider seeing a doctor.

Preventative Measures

Fortunately, there are a few preventative measures that we can take to help improve our condition. Some things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms or discomfort of incontinence include the following:

• Avoid alcohol
• Pay attention to your diet and avoid acidic foods
• Minimize your caffeine intake
• Exercise regularly
• See if you can work on training your bladder
• Don’t smoke
• Wear protective equipment, such as men’s waterproof underwear

If you implement the correct preventative measures into your daily routine and consult your doctor, you may find your condition becomes more tolerable. We hope that this article has helped you to understand urinary incontinence in men and women, as well as the steps you can take to improve it.