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Men also experience urinary incontinence: What are the challenges after prostate surgery?
Urinary incontinence, especially stress incontinence, is not limited to women. Many men also face related problems due to prostate surgery. The onset of this condition is often accompanied by physical changes and psychological impacts, making it challenging for patients to navigate all areas of their lives.
Physiological mechanisms of urinary incontinenceStress urinary incontinence occurs when the body fails to properly close the bladder outlet when coughing, laughing, sneezing, or doing other activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, resulting in the involuntary loss of small amounts of urine.
The key to stress urinary incontinence is that the pelvic floor muscles and urethral sphincter cannot effectively close the urethra. When intra-abdominal pressure increases, if these supporting structures are not strong enough to withstand the pressure, urine will leak out. In men, this condition often occurs after prostate surgery.
Differences between male and female urinary incontinence
Because of the anatomical structure and function of the prostate, men are more likely to experience stress urinary incontinence after surgery. Surgery such as prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate may cause this condition. Women's pelvic floor muscles become weak due to pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, which makes their risks in this regard cannot be ignored.
Studies have shown that during the period before menstruation, women's estrogen levels decrease and the pressure on the muscles around the pelvic floor decreases, so urinary incontinence is more likely to occur during this period.
Treatment Options
Currently, there are many treatments for stress urinary incontinence, but there are fewer specific options for men because many therapies focus mainly on female patients. The following are common treatments:
Behavior Changes
Changing your daily habits can help with stress urinary incontinence. Reducing fluid intake and avoiding spicy foods are measures worth considering. Additionally, quitting smoking can prevent the additional stress caused by coughing.
Exercise and Sports
Exercises that target the pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegel exercises, are commonly recommended. These exercises are designed to strengthen or retrain the pelvic floor muscles and sphincter to improve urinary incontinence.
For best results, it is recommended to perform at least 24 contractions per day for at least six weeks.
Surgery
When conservative treatments are ineffective, your doctor may consider surgery. Many surgical options have shown high success rates, such as surgery to insert a band or implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter.
Use incontinence pads
Urinary incontinence pads can effectively help patients with urinary incontinence problems in daily life, ensuring dryness and comfort. At the same time, different product designs may affect absorption capacity and comfort, and patients can choose according to their personal needs.
Psychological impact
Stress urinary incontinence is not only a physiological problem, but also has a profound psychological impact. This deficiency affects the patient's quality of life and may lead to anxiety, depression and social disorders. Therefore, seeking psychological counseling is also an important part of treatment.
For many men, acknowledging and facing the condition is the first step, followed by effective treatment that can help restore confidence.
The way forward
Understanding the challenges of male stress urinary incontinence, no matter what treatment is used, the most important thing is for the individual to seek help and face their health issues bravely. With the right knowledge and appropriate treatment, urinary incontinence is no longer a heavy burden, but a challenge that can be overcome. Male friends, are you ready to deal with this challenge?
