What Are the Treatments for Male Incontinence?

Male incontinence is treated in several ways, depending on the severity of the problem and the patient's preferences and lifestyle. Patients should discuss all treatment options with their doctors to decide which method is best.

Types of Treatment

• Male incontinence treatment options include behavioral therapy, medications, injections, catheters, male slings and urinary diversion. Simple methods are usually tried before moving on to more drastic options. (See Reference 1)

How They Work

• Behavioral therapy includes exercises and electrical stimulation to train the bladder muscles. Medications help control the nerves and contractions of the bladder or slow down urine production. Fat injections help keep the urethra closed. And catheters provide a drainage system. A surgeon can create a sling to keep the urethra closed as a last resort.

Considerations

• Patients should discuss the possible side effects of any treatment method with their doctors. Men with more active lifestyles may be more reluctant to include catheterization or surgery in their treatment plan.

Effectiveness of Treatments

• Many men are able to control incontinence through simply strengthening the bladder and making lifestyle changes. Medications are sufficient to control incontinence in most younger men, and more extreme methods are typically reserved for those with severe incontinence and for older patients.

Prevention/Solution

• Patients can help prevent incontinence by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet to keep their weight within a healthy range. Quitting smoking and limiting caffeine and alcohol can also help.