North Austin Urology Specialists Logo
NAU Urology Specialists Logo

Meet Our Providers


Our Locations

Male Incontinence

A focus on male incontinence

Incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine. Although the condition is more common in women, men can also experience incontinence. The rate of incidence increases as men age. While there are similarities in female and male incontinence, there are aspects that are unique to each sex. According to our North Austin urologists, urine leakage in men is common, particularly after the age of 50, but many men never seek treatment.

Common causes of male incontinence

The same factors cause the majority of cases of male incontinence.

  • Enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)
  • Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland)
  • Nerve damage from surgery or health conditions, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis
  • Medications (some medications can cause bladder issues)

Of the two most common types of incontinence – urge incontinence and stress incontinence – urge is more common in men. Urge incontinence is when a man feels a sudden, urgent need to urinate and doesn’t have enough time to get to the restroom. For most men, stress incontinence is a result of prostate surgery.

A blockage in the urinary tract can lead to overflow incontinence, in which the bladder doesn’t empty properly, and urine leaks out.

Men can also experience functional incontinence. Functional incontinence results from mobility issues, in which a man has difficulty getting to the restroom due to physical limitations.

Treatment for urine leakage in men

Bladder and pelvic floor strength training is considered a treatment for women, but men can also do Kegels and benefit from pelvic floor exercises. They strengthen the muscles used for urination.

Your North Austin urologists may teach you other techniques, such as timed voiding and urgency suppression, to improve symptoms of urine leakage in men.

Lifestyle changes can also be beneficial in reducing male urine leakage. Eliminate foods and drinks that irritate the bladder, such as citrus or carbonated beverages, spicy foods and artificial sweeteners. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can stimulate the bladder. Losing weight and quitting smoking are also recommended for reducing incontinence symptoms.

Medications, such as alpha-blockers, may be prescribed to make it easier for the bladder to empty. Other medications can help increase bladder volume.

Treating the underlying cause of incontinence can create significant improvements. If a man has diabetes, controlling the disease will likely reduce incontinence symptoms. If the problems stem from an enlarged prostate (BPH), treatment for that can decrease urine leakage.

Is surgery a solution?

Surgical options may be available, depending on the type of male incontinence, the cause, the severity of symptoms, and the patient’s overall health.

There are also surgical options for stress incontinence, including a sling procedure or an artificial urinary sphincter. A sling supports the urethra and sphincter, relieving pressure and allowing the urethra to close more tightly, while the artificial sphincter controls the flow of urine out of the body.

For urge incontinence, a bladder nerve stimulator, which uses tiny pulses of electricity to reprogram the bladder, can be implanted in the patient’s back.

Our North Austin urologists understand that urine leakage in men is disruptive and uncomfortable, and we are available to help address this concern. Contact North Austin Urology for an appointment to get help for male incontinence.