Topic Overview
What is urinary incontinence in men?
Urinary
incontinence is the accidental release of urine. It's not a disease. It's a
symptom of a problem with a man's
urinary tract.
Urine is made by the
kidneys and stored in a sac made of muscle, called the
urinary
bladder. A tube called the
urethra leads from the bladder through the prostate
and penis to the outside of the body. Around this tube is a ring of muscles
called the urinary sphincter. As the bladder fills with urine, nerve signals
tell the sphincter to stay squeezed shut while the bladder stays relaxed. The
nerves and muscles work together to prevent urine from leaking out of the
body.
When you have to urinate, the nerve signals tell the muscles
in the walls of the bladder to squeeze. This forces urine out of the bladder
and into the urethra. At the same time the bladder squeezes, the urethra
relaxes. This allows urine to pass through the urethra and out of the body.
Incontinence can happen for many reasons:
- If your bladder squeezes at the wrong time,
or if it squeezes too hard, urine may leak out.
- If the muscles
around the urethra are damaged or weak, urine can leak out even if you don't
have a problem with your bladder squeezing at the wrong time.
- You
can also have incontinence if your bladder doesn't empty when it should. This
leaves too much urine in the bladder. If the bladder gets too full, urine will
leak out when you don't want it to.
- If something is blocking your
urethra, urine can build up in the bladder and cause leaking.
Urinary incontinence happens more often in older men than
in young men, but it's not just a normal part of aging.
What are the different types of urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can be short-term or long-lasting (chronic).
Short-term incontinence is often caused by other health problems or treatments.
This topic is about the different types of chronic urinary incontinence:
- Stress incontinence
happens when you sneeze, cough, laugh, lift objects, or do something that puts
stress or strain on your bladder and you leak urine.
- Urge incontinence is an urge to urinate that's so strong that
you can't make it to the toilet in time. It also happens when your bladder
squeezes when it shouldn't. This can happen even when you have only a small
amount of urine in your bladder. Overactive bladder is a kind of urge
incontinence. But not everyone with an overactive bladder leaks urine.
- Overflow incontinence happens when your
bladder doesn't empty as it should and then leaks urine later. This happens
when bladder muscles are weak or the urethra gets blocked. These blockages can
be related to an enlarged prostate or a narrow urethra.
- Total incontinence happens when you are always leaking urine.
It happens when the sphincter muscle no longer works.
- Functional incontinence is rare. It happens when you can't
make it to the bathroom in time to urinate. This is usually because something
got in your way or you were not able to walk there on your own.
What causes urinary incontinence in men?
Different
types of incontinence have different causes.
- Stress incontinence
can happen when the prostate gland is removed. If there has been damage to the
nerves or to the sphincter, the lower part of the bladder may not have enough
support. Keeping urine in the bladder is then up to the sphincter alone. The
sphincter may be too weak to hold back the urine. And any extra pressure from
sneezing, coughing, or straining can cause urine to leak.
- Urge incontinence is caused by bladder muscles that squeeze so
hard that the sphincter can't hold back the urine. This causes a very strong
urge to urinate. Doctors don't know why this happens. But sometimes it can be
caused by other urinary problems.
- Overflow incontinence can be caused by something blocking the urethra, which
leads to urine building up in the bladder. This is often caused by an enlarged
prostate gland or a narrow urethra. Over time, the bladder gets so full that
pressure builds up and forces the extra urine to move past the blockage and out
of the bladder. Overflow incontinence may also happen because of weak bladder
muscles.
In men, incontinence is often related to prostate
problems or treatments.
Drinking alcohol can make urinary
incontinence worse. Taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs such as
diuretics, antidepressants, sedatives, narcotics, or non-prescription cold and
diet medicines can also affect your symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
The most common sign of
urinary incontinence is leaking urine from the bladder. Other signs will depend
on the type of urinary incontinence you have.
- Stress incontinence:
You release a small amount of urine when you cough, strain, lift something, or
change position.
- Urge incontinence: The need
to urinate is so strong that you can't reach the toilet in time.
- Overflow incontinence: You have the urge to
urinate, but you can only release a small amount. And you can't control the
constant dribbling of urine.
How is the cause of urinary incontinence in men diagnosed?
Your
doctor will do a physical exam, ask questions about your symptoms and past
health, and test your urine. Often this is enough to help the doctor find the
cause of the incontinence. You may need other tests if the incontinence is
caused by more than one problem or if the cause is unclear.
How is it treated?
Treatments are different for
each person. They depend on the type of incontinence you have and how much it
affects your life. After your doctor knows what has caused the incontinence,
your treatment may include medicines, simple exercises, or both. A few men need
surgery, but most do not.
There are also some things you can do
at home. In many cases, these lifestyle changes can be enough to control
incontinence.
- Cut back on caffeine drinks, such as coffee and
tea. Also cut back on fizzy drinks like soda pop. And don't drink more than one
alcoholic drink a day.
- Eat foods high in fiber to help avoid
constipation.
- Don't smoke. If you need help quitting, talk to
your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your
chances of quitting for good.
- Stay at a healthy
weight.
- Try simple pelvic-floor exercises like Kegels.
-
Go to the bathroom at several set times each day, and wear clothes that you can
remove easily. Make your path to the bathroom as clear and quick as you
can.
- When you urinate, practice double voiding. This means going
as much as you can, relaxing for a moment, and then going again.
- Keep track of your symptoms and any leaking of urine with a bladder diary. This can help you and your doctor find the best treatment for you.
If you have symptoms of urinary incontinence, don't be
embarrassed to tell your doctor. Most people with incontinence can be helped or
cured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about urinary incontinence: | |
Being diagnosed: | |
Getting treatment: | |
Ongoing concerns: | |
Living with urinary incontinence: | |
Cause
Urinary incontinence occurs when the muscle (sphincter) that holds your
bladder's outlet closed is not strong enough to hold back the urine. This may
happen if the sphincter is too weak, if the
bladder muscles contract too strongly, or if the
bladder is overfull.
A man may have one or more types of
incontinence, and each type may have a different cause.
- Stress incontinence occurs when the
muscle (sphincter) surrounding the
urethra opens at an inappropriate time. This can
happen when you laugh, sneeze, cough, lift something, or change posture. Stress
incontinence can be caused by surgery to treat an
enlarged prostate or
prostate cancer,
radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer, or removal
of the prostate.
- Urge incontinence is
caused by bladder contractions that are too strong to be stopped by the
sphincter. Often the urge is a response to something that makes you anticipate
urination, such as waiting to use a toilet, unlocking the door when returning
home, or even turning on a faucet. The bladder contractions can be caused by
many conditions, including:
Overactive bladder is a kind of urge incontinence. But not
everyone with overactive bladder leaks urine. For more information, see the
topic
Overactive Bladder.
- Overflow incontinence usually is caused by obstruction of the urethra from
BPH or
prostate cancer or when the bladder muscles contract
weakly or don't contract when they should. Other causes include:
- Narrowing of the
urethra (stricture).
- Medicines, such as
antihistamines and decongestants.
- Nerve conditions, such as
diabetes or
multiple sclerosis.
- Functional incontinence is a rare form of incontinence
caused by physical or mental limitations that restrict a man's ability to reach
the toilet in time.
Symptoms
Your symptoms will depend on the type of
urinary incontinence you have.
The main symptom
of stress incontinence is the loss of urine
while coughing, laughing, lifting, straining, or changing posture.
Symptoms of
urge incontinence may include:
- A sudden, urgent need to
urinate.
- Sudden accidents in which you lose a large amount of
urine.
- The need to urinate frequently, often at night.
Symptoms of
overflow incontinence may include:
- A urine stream that starts and stops during
urination.
- An accidental release of a small amount of
urine.
- A weak urine stream.
- A need to strain while
urinating and a sense that the bladder is not empty.
- An urgent need
to urinate, often at night.
- Loss of urine while asleep.
What Happens
Urinary incontinence in men is often related to prostate problems. As men age,
the prostate gland grows larger, squeezing the
urethra and pushing the neck of the
bladder out of position. These changes can lead to
incontinence. In most cases, incontinence due to prostate enlargement can be
cured by medicine or prostate surgery.
But prostate surgery is
also a major cause of urinary incontinence in men.
- Short-term (acute) incontinence following
prostate surgery may go away with time, especially for younger men. In some
cases, the incontinence may last up to a year.
- Stress incontinence is a common complication following
prostate removal (radical prostatectomy) or
radiation treatment for prostate cancer, though it is
becoming less common with improving surgical techniques.
- Some treatments for an
enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH)
can also cause incontinence, but this is uncommon.
If your incontinence is not related to prostate surgery and
it appears suddenly, it will usually clear up after you have received treatment
for whatever is causing the incontinence. For example, incontinence related to
a
urinary tract infection,
prostatitis, or constipation will most likely
disappear when the infection or condition is cured.
For some men, incontinence
may have more than one cause.
What Increases Your Risk
Many things have been
associated with an increased risk of
urinary incontinence in men. Incontinence may be the
result of various health conditions or medical treatments, or it could be
caused by family history or lifestyle. In some men, things from more than one of
the lists below can combine to cause incontinence.
Physical
conditions or lifestyle factors that may make urinary incontinence more likely
include:
- Age-related changes, including decreased
bladder capacity and physical frailty.
- Smoking
tobacco.
- Injury to the bladder or
urethra, such as from radiation therapy or prostate surgery.
- Bladder infection or
prostatitis.
- Obesity.
- Structural
abnormalities of the
urinary tract.
Medicines and foods that may make urinary incontinence
worse include:
- Caffeinated and carbonated drinks, such as
coffee, tea, and soda pop.
- Alcohol
beverages.
- Prescription medicines that increase urine production,
such as diuretics, or relax the bladder, such as anticholinergics and
antidepressants.
- Other prescription medicines, such as sedatives,
narcotics, and calcium channel blockers.
- Nonprescription medicines,
such as diet, allergy, and cold medicines.
Several diseases or conditions may increase your risk of urinary incontinence, including:
- Neurological conditions such as
Alzheimer's disease,
Parkinson's disease,
stroke,
diabetes, spinal injury, and
multiple sclerosis.
- Bladder cancer.
- Chronic bronchitis.
- Interstitial cystitis.
- Anxiety and
depression.
When To Call a Doctor
See your doctor immediately if your
urinary incontinence does not go away or is
accompanied by:
- Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, legs,
and feet.
- Fever, chills, and abdominal (belly) or flank pain.
- Blood in your urine or burning with urination.
- A
change in your bowel habits.
Call your doctor if:
- You have a problem with urinary incontinence
that is getting worse.
- Uncontrolled loss of urine is enough of a
problem that you need to wear an absorbent pad.
- Incontinence
interferes with your life in any way.
Do not be embarrassed to discuss incontinence with your
doctor. Incontinence is not an inevitable result of aging. Most people with
incontinence can be helped or cured.
If you have a sudden change
in your ability to urinate and you are not sure if it is related to your
urinary incontinence, see the topic
Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older.
Watchful waiting
If you have chronic
urinary incontinence that begins slowly, you may be
able to control the problem yourself. If home treatment does not control your problem, or if incontinence
interferes with your lifestyle, ask your doctor to recommend a
treatment.
If you have urinary incontinence that begins suddenly
(acute), call your doctor. Acute incontinence is often caused by urinary tract
problems or medicines and can be easily corrected.
Who to see
Any of the following health professionals can diagnose
and treat
urinary incontinence:
If you need surgery to treat your incontinence, it is
important to find a surgeon who is experienced in the type of surgery you need,
usually a urologist.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
Exams and Tests
The first steps your doctor will take
to learn the cause of your
urinary incontinence are a
medical history and a physical exam. The
physical exam will include examination of the penis, the prostate, and the
nervous system. The history and exam, along with routine diagnostic tests such
as a urinalysis, often provide enough information to determine the cause of the
incontinence and enable your doctor to start treatment.
Your
doctor may ask you to keep a
voiding log, which is a record of the amount of
liquids you drink and how much and how often you urinate.
Tests
that may be done to determine the type and cause of your urinary incontinence
include:
- Urinalysis and
urine culture, which may be done to learn whether a
urinary tract infection (UTI) or
prostatitis is present or whether there is blood or
sugar in your urine.
- Cough test to check for urine leakage while
coughing.
- Urodynamic tests, which could include:
- Uroflowmetry.
The uroflowmetry test measures the rate of urine flow during urination. During
the test, a flow curve will be charted to determine the peak flow rate. A low
peak flow rate may be suggestive of an obstruction or a weak bladder causing
the incontinence.
- Pressure flow studies, which measure pressures
produced in the bladder as the flow changes. Pressure studies may help
distinguish between urinary symptoms caused by obstruction and those caused by
a problem affecting the bladder muscles or nerves. This test is often used when
the cause of a man's symptoms is uncertain.
- Residual urine determination. Your doctor may
measure your post-void residual volume by inserting a thin tube (catheter) into your bladder or by using a bladder
ultrasound scan immediately after you have urinated.
- Cystometrogram (CMG). This test evaluates your
bladder's ability to store and release urine.
- Electromyogram (EMG), which is used to record the
electrical activity of muscles.
Your doctor may conduct a cystoscopic exam (a test that
allows your doctor to see inside the urinary tract) to rule out other causes of
incontinence.
Further tests may be required if the first treatment
for incontinence has failed. Other tests may also be needed if you have had
previous prostate surgery,
radiation therapy, or frequent
urinary tract infections, or if a
catheter cannot be easily placed into your
bladder.
Tests such as cystourethrogram, an X-ray taken of your
bladder and urethra while you are urinating, are not often used to evaluate
incontinence, but they may be helpful. If your doctor wants to do one of these
tests, ask whether the test is needed to diagnose your type of
incontinence.
Treatment Overview
The treatment you and your doctor
choose will depend upon what type of
urinary incontinence you have and how much you are
bothered by your symptoms.
If there is no infection or
cancer or other cause that could only be cured by surgery, treatment for
incontinence proceeds in stages.
- Behavioral strategies
are tried first for all types of incontinence. These include reducing the
amount of liquids you drink, eliminating caffeinated and carbonated drinks, and
setting a schedule for urinating. See Home Treatment for more information.
- Exercise on a
regular basis is important for physical and emotional health. Some men with
urinary incontinence stop exercising because they fear that it will cause
leakage. But regular exercise is important and can help you manage stress and
keep your muscles in tone.
- Continence products such as absorbent pads or diapers,
incontinence clamps, and pressure cuffs may be used if you are progressing
through a different treatment and are waiting to see whether your incontinence
goes away or if other methods of treatment have failed. But these products
should only be used along with a more specific treatment, since they can hide a
more serious condition that may be curable.
- Medicines may be prescribed, depending on the cause of your
incontinence.
- Antispasmodics and anticholinergics may be prescribed to
relax the bladder (for
urge incontinence).
- Antibiotics may be prescribed for
incontinence caused by infection.
- Self-catheterization may
be tried if you have
overflow incontinence from a weak bladder or blockage
or if surgery is not the best option for you.
- Surgery is usually considered when it is the only treatment
that can cure the incontinence, such as when the condition is caused by a
bladder obstruction.
What to think about
Many men who have
urge incontinence or
overflow incontinence also have an
enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic
hyperplasia). They may want to talk to a doctor about medicine, surgery, or
other treatment to relieve their symptoms. For more information, see the topic
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
Urinary incontinence can be a problem following treatment for
prostate cancer, including radiation therapy and
removal of the prostate.
Treatment will be
different for men who have total incontinence or who cannot comply with or
tolerate specific treatments because of a serious illness or disease.
Prevention
You may reduce your chances of developing
urinary incontinence by:
- Limiting caffeine and
alcohol.
- Getting to and staying at a healthy weight.
- Quitting smoking.
- Avoiding constipation
by eating a healthy,
high-fiber diet.
- Doing
Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles that control the flow of urine.
Home Treatment
In many cases,
behavioral changes, including changes to your diet,
lifestyle, and urinary habits, can be enough to control urinary incontinence.
The following
changes to diet and lifestyle may help reduce incontinence:
- Reduce or eliminate caffeinated and carbonated
drinks—such as coffee, tea, and soda pop—from your diet.
- Do not
drink more than one alcohol drink a day.
- Try to identify any foods that might irritate your
bladder—including citrus fruits, chocolate, tomatoes, vinegars, spicy foods,
dairy products, and aspartame—and eat less of those foods.
- If you
smoke, quit.
- Avoid constipation:
- Include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains in your diet each day. These foods are high in fiber.
- Drink enough fluids. Don't avoid drinking fluid because you are worried about leaking urine.
- Get some exercise every day. Try to do moderate activity at least 2½ hours a week. Or try to do vigorous activity at least 1¼ hours a week. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week.
- Take a fiber supplement with psyllium (such as Metamucil) or methylcellulose (such as Citrucel) daily. Start with a small dose and very slowly increase the dose over a month or more.
- Schedule time each day for a bowel movement. Having a daily routine may help. Take your time and do not strain when having a bowel movement.
- If you are
overweight, try to lose some weight. Remember that effective weight-loss
programs depend on a combination of diet and exercise.
- Try
pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises to strengthen your pelvic
muscles.
The following changes to urinary habits may help reduce
incontinence:
- Set a schedule for urinating every 2 to 4
hours, regardless of whether you feel the need.
- Practice "double
voiding" by urinating as much as possible, relaxing for a few moments, and then
urinating again.
- If you have trouble reaching the bathroom before
you urinate, consider making a clearer, quicker path to the bathroom and
wearing clothes that are easily removed (such as those with elastic waistbands
or Velcro closures). Or keep a urinal close to your bed or chair.
Talk with your doctor about all the medicines you take,
including nonprescription medicines, to see whether any of them may be making
your incontinence worse.
Medicines that may cause urinary incontinence in men
include certain antidepressants, sedatives, and even some allergy and cold
medicines.
Medications
Although some
types of long-term (chronic) incontinence may be treated with medicine, the
likelihood that medicines will improve your incontinence depends on the
severity and cause of the problem. Some medicines that are used to treat
incontinence may actually make the condition worse in men whose incontinence is
caused by an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). So consulting with a urologist is an important
part of incontinence care.
Medication choices
- For
overflow incontinence: If your overflow incontinence
is caused by an enlarged prostate, medicines to treat
benign prostatic hyperplasia may be prescribed. But
these medicines do not always improve incontinence. For more information, see
the topic
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
- For
urge incontinence:
- Anticholinergic and antispasmodic medicines such as oxybutynin and tolterodine calm the nerves that
control bladder muscles and increase bladder capacity. Taking an alpha-blocker medicine with an anticholinergic may help with symptoms of urge incontinence and overactive bladder better than either medicine alone.1, 2
- Imipramine is a
tricyclic antidepressant, which is usually used to treat
depression but may also be used to treat urge
incontinence. Imipramine causes the bladder muscle to relax while causing the
muscles at the bladder neck to contract.
- Duloxetine is a kind
of antidepressant called a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitor (SNRI). It changes how the brain uses certain brain chemicals. How it
helps with bladder control is not yet known.
- Botulinum toxin (Botox). Botox may be used in people with nervous system diseases or problems (such as multiple sclerosis or a spinal cord injury) to stop bladder contractions that cause severe
urge incontinence. But Botox will only be considered if other treatments haven't worked. Botox can cause serious side effects, including not being able to urinate at all.
Anticholinergic and tricyclic medicines may also be used
to treat
stress incontinence, especially if you have both
stress and urge incontinence.
What to think about
For men with
stress incontinence or
urge incontinence,
behavioral methods of treatment such as bladder
training techniques are used in combination with medicine.
Surgery
If your
urinary incontinence has not improved after you have tried
behavioral methods and medicine, and if your doctor thinks
surgery will be an effective treatment, you may choose to have surgery rather
than live with your symptoms. In some cases, such as when a bladder outlet
obstruction is affecting kidney function, surgery may be the only way to treat
the problem that is causing the incontinence.
Surgery may be
appropriate for men who:
- Have ongoing (chronic)
incontinence.
- Have severe symptoms and total
incontinence.
- Are extremely bothered by their
symptoms.
- Have problems with urinary retention.
- Have
moderate to severe blood in the urine (hematuria) that is recurrent (keeps coming back).
- Have recurrent
urinary tract infections.
Overflow incontinence caused by enlargement of the
prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) is the form of
incontinence most often treated with surgery.
Stress incontinence caused by removal of the prostate gland because of
prostate cancer or an
enlarged prostate may also be treated with surgery, if
the incontinence isn't cured after a period of watchful waiting.
Surgery choices
If overflow incontinence is caused by benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH), prostate surgery may relieve the incontinence. For more
information about surgery options and treatment for BPH, see the topic
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
Surgery for severe stress incontinence that does not improve with
behavioral methods includes:
- Artificial sphincter, which is a device
made of silicone rubber that fits around the urethra (the tube that carries
urine from your bladder to the outside of your body) and can be inflated or
deflated to control urination.
- Urethral bulking, which involves injecting material around the urethra to control
urination by either closing a hole in the urethra or building up the thickness
of the wall of the urethra.
- Bulbourethral sling, which may be considered as a treatment for severe urinary incontinence that results from prostate
surgery. In this procedure, a sling is placed beneath the
urethra to support it and is attached to either muscle
tissue or the pubic bone. The sling compresses and elevates the urethra, giving
the urethra greater resistance to pressure from the abdomen.
- Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS). In SNS, the doctor puts an electrical stimulator under your skin above your buttocks. This stimulator looks like a pacemaker. It is attached to electrodes that send pulses to a nerve in your lower back (sacrum). The sacral nerve plays a role in bladder storage and emptying.
What to think about
Surgery usually isn't considered
for urinary incontinence unless it is the only reasonable way to cure it or
after attempts to treat the problem with conservative measures or other
treatment have failed. The decision to have surgery must always be based on an
accurate diagnosis and realistic expectations for the surgery.
Most surgical failures are due to incorrect diagnoses. Other reasons for
failure include healing problems, additional causes of incontinence that aren't
apparent before the surgery, and a lack of experience or skill on the part of
the surgeon performing the procedure.
Factors that increase the
chances that surgical treatment will fail to correct incontinence include
obesity, long-term (chronic) cough,
radiation therapy, age, poor nutrition, and strenuous
physical activity.
Other Treatment
Treatment other than surgery or
medicine may be used to treat
urinary incontinence.
- For stress incontinence,biofeedback, a
technique that helps you learn to control a specific body function, may be an
option for some men who have stress incontinence or urge incontinence.
- For urge incontinence, behavioral
therapies such as biofeedback and bladder training can be used to treat urge
incontinence.
- For overflow incontinence, some men may require intermittent
self-catheterization. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the
bladder, usually 3 or 4 times a day.
Other treatment choices
- Catheterization may be used to treat
severe incontinence that cannot be managed with medicines or surgery. Catheters
don't cure incontinence but rather allow you or a caregiver to manage
incontinence.
- Intermittent self-catheterization is done with a thin,
flexible, hollow tube (catheter) that is inserted through the
urethra into the
bladder, allowing the urine to drain
out.
- Indwelling catheterization uses a catheter that remains in
place continuously. For more information, see the topic
Care for an Indwelling Urinary Catheter.
- Condom or Texas catheter uses a special condom
that can be attached to a tube for short-term use. The condom, placed over the
penis, keeps the tube in place. The tube allows the urine to drain out.
- Behavioral therapies, including
biofeedback and pelvic muscle exercises, are used to
treat urge and stress incontinence.
- Continence products such as
absorbent pads or diapers, incontinence clamps, or
pressure cuffs may be used to manage any form of incontinence. Some of these
products absorb leaked urine and some put pressure on the urethra to help
prevent urine from leaking.
What to think about
Men often use absorbent products,
such as pads or diapers, when other methods of treating incontinence have
failed or cannot be used. Some men may prefer to use absorbent products rather
than taking medicines or having surgery. They may also use absorbent products
after surgery for prostate cancer, while they are waiting to see if their
incontinence goes away. This method doesn't treat the incontinence but instead manages
the problem. In general, absorbent products should only be used along
with a more specific treatment, because use of absorbent products can hide a
more serious condition that may be curable.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
| AUA Foundation: The Official Foundation of the American Urological
Association |
| 1000 Corporate Boulevard |
| Linthicum, MD 21090 |
| Phone: | 1-800-828-7866 |
| Phone: | (410) 689-3700 |
| Fax: | (410) 689-3998 |
| Email: | auafoundation@auafoundation.org |
| Web Address: | www.urologyhealth.org |
| |
UrologyHealth.org is a website written by urologists
for patients. Visitors can find specific topics by using the "search"
option. The website provides information about adult and
pediatric urologic topics, including kidney, bladder, and prostate conditions.
You can find a urologist, sign up for a free quarterly newsletter, or click on
the Urology A–Z page to find materials about urologic problems. |
|
| National Association for Continence
(NAFC) |
| P.O. Box 1019 |
| Charleston, SC 29402-1019 |
| Phone: | 1-800-BLADDER (1-800-252-3337) |
| Phone: | (843) 377-0900 |
| Fax: | (843) 377-0905 |
| Web Address: | www.nafc.org |
| |
NAFC is a nonprofit national organization with a mission
of consumer advocacy, education of the public, and information dissemination
through collaboration and networking for the benefit of those with urinary
incontinence. NAFC's booklet "Your Personal Guide to Bladder Health" can be
ordered on the NAFC website. |
|
| National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information
Clearinghouse |
| 3 Information Way |
| Bethesda, MD 20892-3580 |
| Phone: | 1-800-891-5390 |
| TDD: | 1-866-569-1162 |
| Fax: | (703) 738-4929 |
| Email: | nkudic@info.niddk.nih.gov |
| Web Address: | www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov |
| |
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information
Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) provides information about diseases of the
kidneys and urologic system to people with these problems and to
their families, to health professionals, and to the public. NKUDIC answers
inquiries; develops, reviews, and distributes publications; and works closely
with professional and patient groups and government agencies to
coordinate resources about kidney and urologic diseases. NKUDIC, a federal agency, is a service of the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIDDK is part
of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. |
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References
Citations
- MacDiarmid SA, et al. (2008). Efficacy and safety of extended-release oxybutynin in combination with tamsulosin for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 83(9): 1002–1010.
- Kaplan SA, et al. (2006). Tolterodine and tamsulosin
for treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms and overactive bladder.
JAMA, 296(19): 2319–2328.
Other Works Consulted
- Chapple CR, Milson I (2012). Urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse: Epidemiology and pathophysiology. In AJ Wein et al., eds., Campbell-Walsh Urology, 10th ed., vol. 3, pp. 1871–1895. Philadelphia: Saunders.
- Herschorn S (2012). Injection therapy for urinary incontinence. In AJ Wein et al., eds., Campbell-Walsh Urology, 10th ed., vol. 3, pp. 2168–2185. Philadelphia: Saunders.
- Naumann M, et al. (2008). Assessment: Botulinum
neurotoxin in the treatment of autonomic disorders and pain (an evidence-based
review): Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of
the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 70(19):
1707–1714.
- Resnick, NM (2012). Incontinence. In L Goldman, A Shafer, eds., Goldman's Cecil Medicine, 24th ed., pp. 110–114. Philadelphia: Saunders.
- Silva LA, et al. (2011). Surgery for stress urinary incontinence due to presumed sphincter deficiency after prostate surgery. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (4).
- Wadie BS (2010). Retropubic bulbourethral sling for post-prostatectomy male incontinence: 2-year followup. Journal of Urology, 184(6): 2446–2451.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology |
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| Last Revised | July 17, 2012 |
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