Common Causes of Incontinence in Men

A look at some common causes for incontinence in men.

Almost 25 million adult Americans experience some level of incontinence. Incontinence in men is far more common then most men believe. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes for incontinence in men:
Swollen prostate glad. Men who have a swollen prostate gland may experience a continuous dripping or urine leakage. This is caused by the swollen prostate blocking the flow of urine, not allowing the bladder to fully empty. This leads to what is called urge incontinence, as it feels like you always need to go.

Many will have surgery to correct this problem. However, even after prostate surgery, many men will experience temporary incontinence caused by weakened muscles. This will be stress incontinence, which are involuntary leaks caused by things like sneezing, laughing, etc.

Learn more about Prostate Surgery and Incontinence and How Many Men Feel Following Prostate Surgery. 

Loss of mobility. Sometimes incontinence is caused by the physical inability to react to the body’s signals that it needs to eliminate urine or fecal matter. The individual can’t get to a bathroom in time even if they know they need to.

Obesity. When a person is overweight, it can lead to too much pressure on the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, leading to urine leaks.

Urinary infections.  If a man experiences frequent urinary infections it may cause bladder hypersensitivity. This can lead to frequent urination of only small amounts.

Constipation. Regular constipation is the most common cause of fecal incontinence as the impacted hard stool causes the rectum to become large, stretching the muscles and intestine and weakening them.

Weakened muscles. Weakened pelvic floor muscles may make it so that when a person coughs, laughs, etc. they experience urine leakage. This is called stress incontinence. The muscles must be strengthened in order to help keep the bladder closed.

Smoking. Smoking has two effects on incontinence. The first is the smoker’s cough can lead to stress incontinence due to regular pressure, and the second being that many smokers have increased risk for circulator disease, and the diuretic medicines often increase leakage.

Mental illness and medical conditions. Mental illness and medical conditions, particularly those of the nervous system like Alzheimer’s can lead to incontinence. This may be because the individual may no longer recognize the need to urinate or defecate, and thus fails to respond to the body’s signals. Or it can be a result of damaged nerve passageways leading to an over or under-active bladder.

Prescribed medications.  Some prescribed medications for other conditions can cause incontinence as a side effect. A change to dosage or change of medication may clear up the symptoms. 

On average, men wait 4 years to talk to their doctor about possible incontinence, and seek treatment for it. Don’t wait. If you are experiencing incontinence, take steps early. It is not a natural part of aging, and can be avoided, and in many cases corrected before it becomes permanent.

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About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.