Urinary incontinence is more likely to affect women compared to men. That said, urinary incontinence is still a common issue that many men experience, especially as they get older.
In fact, some research suggests that up to 34% of men aged 65 and up experience some form of urinary incontinence
.
One type of incontinence men may experience is called stress urinary incontinence (SUI). If you notice involuntary leakage of urine when you move or perform physical activities, you may have this condition.
Stress urinary incontinence may occur when you sneeze, laugh, cough, exercise, lift heavy objects, change your body's position, or carry out other activities that put additional pressure on your bladder. This strain on your bladder causes you to leak urine.
Studies have found that about 10% of urinary incontinence cases in men are related to stress urinary incontinence
.
Research also suggests that 10-30% of cases are due to mixed urinary incontinence. This is defined as the involuntary leakage of urine linked to urgency (urge incontinence) as well as exertion, sneezing, laughing, or coughing (stress incontinence)
.
If you experience some form of stress urinary incontinence, you may not be keen to participate in certain social activities or exercises. But there are various management options that can help you regain control over your bladder and improve your overall quality of life.
In this article, we'll explore the
causes of stress urinary incontinence in men and the 4 best natural ways to manage male urinary incontinence at home.
Causes of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Men
Stress urinary incontinence typically happens due to the weakening of the muscles supporting the bladder (pelvic floor muscles) and the muscles regulating the release of urine (sphincter muscles).
Men may develop stress urinary incontinence due to a variety of factors, including the following:
-
Prostate surgery: Prostatectomy, which is the partial or complete removal of the prostate gland, is a surgical procedure that commonly contributes to the development of urinary incontinence. Some research shows that around up to 40% of men who undergo this procedure experience urinary incontinence as a side effect of the surgery
.
-
Aging: As you get older, the pelvic floor muscles naturally weaken and lose their elasticity. This can contribute to stress urinary incontinence.
-
Obesity: Research suggests that obesity is a strong risk factor for stress urinary incontinence. That's because any excess weight may strain the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor and place additional pressure on the bladder, leading to urinary incontinence
.
-
Smoking: People who smoke may develop a smoker's cough, and stress urinary incontinence is a common complication of this chronic coughing. Other medical conditions that lead to chronic coughing may also be associated with stress urinary incontinence.
4 All-Natural Ways to Tackle Stress Urinary Incontinence in Men
Fortunately, many people are able to find relief with treatment, lifestyle changes, and natural management approaches.
But before you commit to a long-term medication plan, consider trying these natural strategies to improve your bladder control.
Carry out Pelvic Floor Exercises.
Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles is one of the best ways to combat stress urinary incontinence.
Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegels, are a set of exercises that help improve the strength of your pelvic floor muscles. To carry out these exercises, you'll repeatedly contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles.
Kegels are easy enough for just about anyone to do. If you're interested, you can check out our complete
guide to performing pelvic floor exercises.
Pay Attention to What You Eat and Drink.
Some
foods and beverages are known to irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms of urinary incontinence.
For instance, both alcohol and caffeinated drinks are common culprits that can exacerbate your urinary symptoms by increasing bladder activity
.
To track which foods irritate your bladder, you can keep a personal food diary to keep tabs on your diet and symptoms.
Stay Active and Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle.
Apart from adopting a
bladder-friendly diet, maintaining a healthy diet, in general, is one way to keep your weight within the recommended range.
Staying active is also helpful for losing weight, maintaining weight loss, and keeping your weight within the healthy range.
That said, it's best to go for lower-impact exercises, such as brisk walking or swimming. High-impact exercises, such as running or skipping, can increase the risk of stress urinary incontinence and injure your pelvic floor muscles
.
If you do smoke, you may consider quitting, as this can improve bladder symptoms. Your healthcare provider may be able to recommend lifestyle changes or medication that can help you quit.
Consider Taking Bladder Health Supplements.
The nutrients and supplements you consume can go a long way in boosting your bladder's health. Bladder control supplements, like BetterMAN, may be a helpful addition to your management plan.
The
BetterMAN 3-in-1 formula can enhance the health of your urinary system by improving blood circulation and regulating testosterone levels and neuromuscular function. This clinically-tested supplement has been shown to improve bladder control in research studies.
Final Thoughts
Stress urinary incontinence can affect men when their pelvic floor muscles become weakened.
With the right management approach, many men are able to curb their urinary symptoms, regain their confidence, and enjoy a better quality of life.
Performing pelvic floor exercises, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding foods that can irritate the bladder are all simple and natural ways to deal with stress urinary incontinence in men.
Apart from that, the
BetterMAN supplement also offers an all-natural approach to improving your bladder control. This supplement can also enhance your prostate health, sexual health, and sense of well-being.
