Addressing Male Incontinence – Insights for HCPs

Doctor Having Conversation with Male Patient

Addressing Male Incontinence – Practical Insights for Healthcare Professionals

Male incontinence is a common problem that can impact men of any age, potentially leading to feelings of embarrassment, anxiety and depression.

With around one in three older men having incontinence problems, it is therefore essential for healthcare professionals to address this issue with confidence.

Providing men with support for their urinary incontinence can have a hugely positive impact on their lives and well-being. As a healthcare professional, you can become a beacon of knowledge and advice on the topic, helping men manage their condition and restore their confidence levels once again.

Understanding male incontinence

Male incontinence, or loss of bladder control, can occur for several reasons, the main ones being due to age and injury.

It is important to understand the symptoms of urinary incontinence so you can provide support.

The most common symptoms are:

● Needing to pee often, both day and night

● Having trouble starting your urine flow

● A weak urine stream

● Straining (using stomach muscles) when urinating

● Feeling like your bladder is never all the way empty, even after you go

● Discomfort when urinating

● Pressure in your lower abdomen

While male incontinence often occurs as a result of ageing, it can also be caused by other factors. A medical assessment will help when planning treatment.

Some of the factors that can cause urinary incontinence in men can include:

● Urinary tract infections

● Medication – for example, diuretic medications can increase the risk of urine leakage

● An enlarged prostate can obstruct urine from passing

● Being overweight puts extra pressure on abdominal and pelvic muscles, making it harder to avoid urine leakage

● Diabetes can cause nerve damage to your urinary tract, causing bladder problems

● Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis

● Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's

● Arthritis can also cause functional incontinence as it can make going to the bathroom much more difficult

There are also different types of urinary incontinence that a man can experience. The five main types are:

Stress incontinence – where urine leaks out due to pressure being put on the bladder through actions like sneezing, laughing, exercising or heavy lifting

Urge incontinence – feeling a sudden urge to urinate and involuntarily losing bladder control

Overflow incontinence – regular or constant leaking of urine due to a bladder that doesn’t empty fully when urinating

Functional incontinence – caused by a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from reaching the toilet in time

Mixed incontinence – where you experience more than one type of incontinence at the same time, such as stress and urge

As the body ages, bladder control weakens and its capacity to store urine decreases. Therefore, ageing is often the main cause of male incontinence.

Dealing with incontinence every day can be physically and mentally challenging. Not only does it cause temporary discomfort, but it can also lead to prolonged feelings of anxiety or low mood. Over time, male incontinence can have a devastating effect on a man’s quality of life.

Breaking the stigma – men’s mental health and incontinence

Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma around male incontinence. That’s why it’s so important for you as a healthcare professional to understand and address it.

Many men feel embarrassed or don’t want to talk about their emotions when dealing with incontinence. However, letting men express how their incontinence is making them feel and affecting their daily lives can be one of the first steps towards breaking the stigma.

Normalising male incontinence products is also a brilliant way to break the stigma. Letting them know there is no shame in using them can go a long way.

In general, men’s mental health is often overlooked — which is why movements such as Movember have come about.

This annual event encourages men to grow moustaches throughout November to raise awareness of men’s health issues such as mental health, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

While proving mental health support should happen year-round, Movember is a good reminder that it’s vital for healthcare professionals to know how to help and where to signpost it.

Movember and men’s mental health

As a significant fundraiser and awareness campaign for men’s health, Movember helps bring the problems men face into the public consciousness. It shows them that there’s nothing to be ashamed of when dealing with health problems — whether physical or emotional.

Addressing male incontinence ties into the broader scope of men’s overall health. Dealing with incontinence can lead to poor mental health and this can be debilitating. By showing male incontinence is a common issue that can be effectively managed, you can help your patients grow in confidence and lead happier, healthier lives.

Seeking professional help

Seeking professional help for male incontinence is important as it ensures a proper diagnosis and support with different treatment options. Knowing there is an open line of communication between patients and healthcare professionals can make all the difference.

Men need to know they can speak with their healthcare professional about anything — including urinary incontinence. Keeping these lines of communication open and in confidence ensures security and honest conversations.

Nurse Pushing Male Patient in Wheelchair

Insights and management techniques

Managing male incontinence in a clinical setting is vital within your role as a healthcare professional. Understanding the underlying cause of their incontinence means men receive the right treatment and product advice.

Simple lifestyle changes can help. These can include:

● Maintaining a healthy weight

● Reduce caffeine, limit alcohol and carbonated drinks

● Cut down on smoking – excessive coughing can put additional pressure on the bladder

● Bladder retraining – to modify your bladder’s behaviour by scheduling bathroom trips at set times throughout the day

● Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles

Educating your patients is also a great way to help them effectively manage their incontinence. Many men may not know why they are experiencing incontinence, so discussing the different causes and the variety of incontinence products available can help them feel empowered. If incontinence products are a part of your management plan, we offer male incontinence products such as protective shields, pads and all-in-one briefs.

At Attends, we offer a wide range of male urinary incontinence products to give back the confidence and dignity men deserve.

Some of our male incontinence products include:

● Attends For Men Protective Shield

● Attends For Men Protective Pad

● All-In-One Briefs

● Fixation Pants

● Underpads

Our products are designed to comfortably fit the contours of the body and provide absorption and protection.

Discover our range of male incontinence products.

Support and resources

Being able to signpost your patients to the right resources can make a huge difference when they are dealing with incontinence.

Some useful support and resources for male incontinence include:

● Age UK

● Bladder & Bowel UK

● Bladder Health UK

● Men’s Health Forum

Having a strong network of support is priceless so encouraging men to connect with other men facing the same issues can be a big help when trying to understand male incontinence.

Reaching out to places like Bladder & Bowel UK, or chatting with other men on Men’s Health Forum, can help them learn how to manage the condition, as well as talk freely about what they are experiencing.

While male incontinence is affecting more men each year, by teaching men to take proactive steps towards seeking help, you can provide them with the support they need.

Encouraging them to take part or support other men taking part in Movember can also be a good way to get involved and help end the stigma around incontinence.

Explore our complete range of continence products designed especially for men.