How to Improve Incontinence

Incontinence, or the inability to control the bladder, can be a frustrating and embarrassing condition for those affected. Although it most commonly affects women, it can also impact men, particularly older men. You can improve incontinence through various methods.

Things You'll Need

• Vaginal pessaries
• Adhesive pads
• Penile clamps
• Prescription medication

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Instructions

Incontinence Treatment for Women

• 1

  Perform daily kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Women with weak pelvic floor muscles cannot control the flow of urine, so it is imperative to strengthen these muscles with daily exercise. Simply squeeze the muscles used to stop the flow of urine for about 10 seconds and then rest. Repeat this process 10 times at least three times per day.

• 2

  Use a vaginal pessary. A vaginal pessary is fitted and placed inside a woman's vagina by a doctor to provide support for the bladder. Although only a temporary fix since it must be replaced periodically upon the discretion of your doctor, a vaginal pessary can be effective.

• 3

  Try self-adhesive foam pads available at your local drug store. To use, place a foam pad over the opening of the urethra, so that it can form a seal and prevent urine from leaking from the bladder. Although they can improve incontinence, these pads can also be somewhat bothersome, because they must be removed and replaced every time you urinate.

Incontinence Treatment for Men

• 4

  Attempt bladder training. A simple way to improve incontinence for men is to try to train the bladder to urinate on a schedule by reducing liquid intake and planning frequent trips to the bathroom. As incontinence improves, you can begin to lengthen the time between bathroom breaks until you achieve normal urinary control.

• 5

  Use a penile clamp. Men can try a v-shaped clamp with rubber pads on each end to clamp onto the penis, thereby reducing urine leakage. The clamp can easily be removed whenever you need to urinate.

• 6

  Try temporary catheterization, designed for active men with incontinence. As opposed to permanent catheterization, temporary catheterization involves inserting a catheter into the urethra for only three to four hours per day to empty the bladder completely.

Incontinence Treatment for Men and Women

• 7

  Visit your doctor for prescription medication. The most common drugs used to improve incontinence are anticholinergics and alpha-blockers. Anticholinergics help increase the holding capacity of the bladder and reduce the urge to urinate. Alpha-blockers usually are prescribed for men and help to relax the muscles that control urination, thereby improving urinary flow. Like most drugs, however, both classes of medications have potential side effects.

• 8

  Consider surgery. If no other remedies improve your incontinence issues, you may need surgery to return your urethra to its correct position. Surgery is risky, however, since it is not always effective and can cause damage to surrounding nerves or potentially cause scar tissue that may increase the lack of bladder control. Because of these potential complications, often surgery is used only as a last resort.

• 9

  Join a support group for urinary incontinence. Men and women may benefit from the support of others who share this condition. Ask your doctor for a support group recommendation if you are unable to locate one.