Health Information
Urinary Incontinence in Men
What Increases Your Risk
Many things have been associated with an increased risk of urinary incontinence in men. Incontinence may be the result of various health conditions or medical treatments, or it could be caused by family history or lifestyle. In some men, things from more than one of the lists below can combine to cause incontinence.
Physical conditions or lifestyle factors that may make urinary incontinence more likely include:
- Age-related changes, including decreased bladder capacity and physical frailty.
- Smoking tobacco.
- Injury to the bladder or Reference urethra Opens New Window, such as from radiation therapy or prostate surgery.
- Reference Bladder infection Opens New Window or Reference prostatitis Opens New Window.
- Obesity.
- Structural
abnormalities of the
Reference urinary tract Opens New Window Reference
Opens New Window.
Medicines and foods that may make urinary incontinence worse include:
- Caffeinated and carbonated drinks, such as coffee, tea, and soda pop.
- Alcohol beverages.
- Prescription medicines that increase urine production, such as diuretics, or relax the bladder, such as anticholinergics and antidepressants.
- Other prescription medicines, such as sedatives, narcotics, and calcium channel blockers.
- Nonprescription medicines, such as diet, allergy, and cold medicines.
Several diseases or conditions may increase your risk of urinary incontinence, including:
- Neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, diabetes, spinal injury, and multiple sclerosis.
- Bladder cancer.
- Chronic bronchitis.
- Reference Interstitial cystitis.
- Anxiety and depression.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference July 17, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology |
|
© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
