If you are living with urinary incontinence, you are far from alone. Unfortunately, due to the embarrassment and social stigma surrounding this common condition, many people do not fully understand male urinary incontinence.
Although well-meaning friends and family may be quick to offer advice, some of the things you have heard about your condition may be false.
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Myth: Urinary Incontinence Only Affects Women
The majority of people diagnosed with incontinence are indeed women, many of whom develop bladder control issues after childbirth. However, many men also live with this problem. Unfortunately, men experiencing frequent urination or bladder leakage often dismiss their symptoms as normal effects of aging, leaving the condition undiagnosed and untreated.
Myth: Frequent Urination Is Normal With Age
If you are an older man, you may have heard your peers joking about their increased trips to the toilet. Many people assume frequent urination is a normal product of the aging process, just like wrinkles and grey hair. If your visits to the toilet have become more frequent, you may have a bladder issue that requires medical treatment, so you should mention it to your doctor.
Myth: Incontinence Only Affects Older People
While age is one of the risk factors, there are many others. Weight, tobacco use, family history and some chronic illnesses increase your risk of developing incontinence at any age. If you are a younger man experiencing symptoms, don’t assume the problem will go away on its own. Talk to your doctor to learn about your options for male urinary incontinence treatment Sydney.
Myth: You Should Drink Less Water
People dealing with frequent urination, leakage and accidents may be tempted to decrease their fluid intake to manage the urinary issue. This is not a good solution, as proper hydration is essential to good health. Depriving yourself of water can make urinary incontinence worse, as more concentrated urine irritates the bladder. The only liquids your doctor is likely to recommend cutting back on are caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as these exacerbate incontinence.
On the other hand, you don’t necessarily need to start drinking more water either. While conventional wisdom advises drinking eight glasses a day, this fails to account for the amount of water most people consume via food. In general, you should drink water when you’re thirsty, but you shouldn’t force yourself to drink more than your body wants.
Myth: Incontinence Isn’t Serious
Rarely, urinary incontinence is a symptom of a serious underlying condition, such as diabetes, prostate cancer or a neurological disorder. While most cases are less serious, your doctor may order tests to rule out any of these conditions.
Even when there is no life-threatening condition causing the problem, incontinence has major effects on your life and mental health. Frequent bathroom trips can interfere with your work performance. You may find yourself avoiding social activities due to embarrassment or reluctance to stray far from a bathroom. For the sake of your emotional wellbeing, it is worth pursuing medical treatment for incontinence.
Myth: There Is No Treatment for Incontinence
Many people neglect to mention their incontinence symptoms to a doctor because they assume nothing can be done. The truth is that there are many treatment options. You don’t have to accept it as a normal, inevitable part of the aging process. A urologist can diagnose the cause of your incontinence and develop a treatment plan, which may include:
- Medication
- Behavioural techniques to train your bladder
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises
- Surgery
Incontinence is difficult to live with, but treatment options are available. Talk to your doctor to gain a better understanding of your issues and learn what treatment is best for you.