4 Quick Tips to Help Men Deal with Urine Leakage
Urinary incontinence is sort of taboo, but it shouldn’t be.
No guy wants to admit that he’s dealing with a leaky faucet—but it’s far more common than you might think. 3.3 million Canadians experience urinary incontinence. That’s almost 10% of the country’s population. And with how common urinary incontinence is in men, it shouldn’t be something that’s shameful. Acceptance opens the door to education, knowledge, and solutions, which subsequently turn into quality of life.
To help you feel more comfortable in your skin, it’s time to figure out what’s causing your urinary incontinence and what you can do about it.
What causes urinary incontinence in men?
Urinary incontinence is more common among elder men, but it isn’t exactly a direct result of aging. It may be related to other conditions such as an enlarged urethra, prostate issues and weakened sphincter muscles.
Drinking too much booze or taking certain medicines (diuretics, antidepressants, sedatives and cold medicines) can worsen the condition too. Understanding your type of incontinence and its causes is key to finding the right treatment for you.
What are some signs of incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can appear in a few different ways:
- A bit of pee comes out when you sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or change positions. Incontinence guards are an ideal product for this situation since they are designed for light leaks.
- You have the urge to pee but you can only release a small amount, then have dribbles throughout the day. Tena Men Protective Shield is ultra thin and build for discretion.
- You have to pee so badly that you can’t always make it to the toilet in time. Incontinence underwear will help you keep protected and comfortable.
Four tips for dealing with urine leakage.
1. Find better products to keep you at your most comfortable.
First, you have to get comfortable with wearing incontinence protective products—because it’s really no big deal. TENA Men makes shields, guards with super absorption up front where you need it most and can protect you whether you drip a little or have a big leak. Order your free samples online so you can find something that works for you.
2. Check in with your doctor.
No one likes a visit to the doctor’s office, but you’ll feel better about everything after you go. Trust us. They can discuss your symptoms (especially if you keep notes of what’s going on), do some tests to help you discover what’s causing your bladder issues and give you extra tips for dealing with leaks (like exercises, medication or, in rare cases, surgery).
3. Watch what you eat… and drink.
You’re going to want to eat foods that are high in fibre to help you avoid constipation and cut down on caffeine, fizzy drinks and alcohol.
4. Tweak your bathroom habits.
To retrain your bladder, you can double void when you go to the bathroom (meaning you empty your bladder as much as you can, relax for a moment and then try again) and set times that you consistently stop in at the men’s room.
Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing signs of incontinence.
Sources:
MyHealth.Alberta.ca. Urinary Incontinence in Men.
The Canadian Continence Foundation. What Is Urinary Incontinence?
