The Link Between Prostate Problems And Male Incontinence
Many men suffer from prostate problems as they age. Although incontinence is a problem that is more closely associated with women, it can also afflict men. Recently, researchers have noted a link between men who suffer from prostate problems and incontinence. The prostate is an important male gland. It is about the shape and size of a walnut. The prostate is located just below the bladder, surrounding the urethra, and it adds fluid to semen before ejaculation. The position of the prostate gland makes it inevitable that it is related to male incontinence.
There are many specific prostate gland problems that are related to male incontinence. The most common prostate gland problem that is related to male incontinence is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, otherwise known as BPH. BPH refers to a condition in which a man becomes enlarged. BPH is also sometimes referred to as benign prostatic hypertrophic. When the prostate gland becomes enlarged, it may cause the urethra to become squeezed and thus affect the way that urinary flows through the urinary stream. It is estimated that more than half of all men over the age of 60 will suffer from the lower urinary tract symptoms that are associated with BPH. The symptoms of BPH will vary, but most of them involve a change in the way a man urinates. BPH can cause a man to experience urinary hesitation, a weak stream, urgency to urinate, urination dribbling, frequent urination, and the occasional urge incontinence.
Another prostate gland problem that may be related to male incontinence is called radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy is a serious procedure that refers to the surgical removal of a person's entire prostate gland. This treatment is done only to treat prostate cancer. In some cases, radical prostatectomy will result in side effects which may include erection difficulties, and in other cases, urinary incontinence.
Another male prostate gland problem that can be involved in the development of male urinary infection is known as external beam radiation. External beam radiation is another type of procedure that is used to treat prostate cancer. External beam radiation has been shown to result in temporary or permanent bladder control problems in some men which may then develop into a chronic urinary incontinence problem.
There are many questions your doctor will ask you if he suspects that your urinary incontinence problems are being caused by your prostate problems. These are standardized questions that are part of the International Prostate Symptom Score, or sometimes the American Urological Association Symptom Scale. Some of the questions that are included on these scales include whether your urination schedule has changed recently. Other questions that your doctor may ask you include whether your nighttime urination schedule has changed, including whether you have to get up often during the night to urinate. The doctor will also want to know if you have the sensation of not being able to empty out your bladder completely, even after you have just finished urinating. Your doctor will also want to know if you have a weak urinary stream.