Common Misconceptions About Male Incontinence

In this modern age, it is becoming increasingly popular to openly discuss and talk about illnesses and conditions, mental or physical, that before would have been embarrassing to mention.

In this case, the subject is incontinence, specifically men’s incontinence. While women have progressed towards discussing this condition, it is apparently taking more for men to feel as comfortable with the conversation. This article is about exploring the facts about men’s incontinence; read on!

The Facts Regarding Men’s Incontinence That You Probably Don’t Know

The Continence Foundation of Australia estimates that 10% of all Australian men experience urinary incontinence. Interestingly, more than a third of this population is aged below 50. So, what are the causes of male incontinence? Common causes include prostate issues, bladder infections, past pelvic surgeries, and other conditions like obesity and diabetes. 

Inspiring men to discuss their bladder issues may start with debunking the myth that incontinence is a female problem. 

Time to increase awareness about men’s incontinence!

Women’s incontinence is nothing new. The gender is at a higher risk of being incontinent from young to mid-age than their male counterparts. You will also discover that women are the ones who purchase the continence products for affected men in their families. It’s not surprising that the males feel uncomfortable discussing their incontinence issues with others. 

As you may already know, wearing a pad is one of the solutions. Thanks to menstruation, women are comfortable and can quickly come to terms with the solution. The good news is there are varying choices of ‘cricket box’ shaped pads for men. 

Practical incontinence initiatives for men 

The challenge of wearing a pad for the male gender is just one part of the equation, and the disposal of the used pads is another blow. While women have disposal bins for pads in their toilets, men often don’t. Fortunately, the Continence Foundation of Australia has created an awareness campaign labeled ‘Bins for Blokes’ to maneuver this situation. 

With 1.34 million Australian men living with the condition, the few bins in male public toilets across the country aren’t making much difference. Incorporating disposal bins in these toilets also decreases the number of incontinence items flushed and inappropriately disposed of. 

But guess what? You can do something about it anonymously! Visit the www.bins4blokes.org.au site to pledge your support and propose a location for the bins. You will also discover more ways to get involved. 

Why is a strong pelvic floor essential? 

Men tend to ignore pelvic floor exercises and their value in weights and lifts. Men, like women, should seek professional guidance on how to train the pelvic floor. These exercises engage the muscles responsible for controlling the urine. It makes them instrumental for naturally treating incontinence in the early stages and tightening the pelvic floor after surgery. 

Men can also undergo Post Micturition incontinence. It sounds like a vocabulary, but you may know it as the After Dribble. It often results from a weak pelvic floor or urine that could have remained in the urethra. Pelvic floor exercises and training can be super helpful in treating and preventing the After Dribble. 

Ready to give male incontinence a voice? 

Your support during World Continence Week could go a long way. Please start the conversation with your male family members. Remember, they could be suffering in silence, and speaking out could be life-changing for them. While pelvic floor exercises are generally helpful for incontinence, varying causes may influence treatment. Always advise a loved one to seek medical attention first!