Be in control, don’t let your bladder control you. Here’s how…

Involuntary loss of urine, or incontinence, is fairly common. The good news is there are things you can do to get better control of your bladder. Options include a range from lifestyle changes to surgery. There is an option that’s right for you. 

Track your habits to avoid trouble

Three places to look for patterns are urinary frequency, activity, and diet. Use a journal to note how much and how often you urinate. Record the kinds of activities that precede leaks or accidents. Ditto for diet. Many men observe that spicy foods, caffeine, citrus, and alcohol aggravate incontinence. The value of tracking is if you notice that you are more likely to have trouble when you drink coffee or when you lift something heavy, you can plan accordingly.

Plan ahead

Men’s Liberty is a unique, external catheter system designed to keep you dry day and night. Stop worrying about leaks and accidents and get back to the things you normally do. Men’s Liberty gives you the protection you can count on at work, on the court or in the car. Feel confident again with Men’s Liberty. Men’s Liberty is discreet, easy to use and covered by more than 3,000 insurance plans, including Tricare.

Try bladder training

With this strategy, you gradually train your bladder to hold urine for longer periods between bathroom trips. For example, you might start by heading to the bathroom every 30-minutes. Over time you would gradually lengthen that time to an hour, then to two or three hours. Tracking can help here as well.

Kick the habit

If you smoke, stop. If you don’t exercise, start. Aim for a healthy weight, too. Too much weight can place undue pressure on your bladder. Exercise to bring down weight and reduce stress, another factor, along with smoking, implicated in incontinence. 

Talk with your doctor

When you’re ready for pharmaceutical intervention talk with your doctor. Medications can relax your bladder to reduce spasms and urgency. Share as much information as you can about your health history and goals. Together, you can your healthcare provider can choose the best medication for your needs.

Try Kegels

Strengthen your pelvic floor to improve the symptoms of incontinence. Named for a physician, Dr. Arnold Kegel, Kegels strengthen the pelvic floor with contractions. Identify the muscle by stopping your urine midstream. Once you have identified the muscles, practice contracting them by working up to three sets of 10 rounds.

Surgery

Surgery is often thought of as the last resort. Give yourself time to understand the procedure, any side effects, and the likelihood of success. You’ll also want to know that the surgeon has a strong track record of performing surgeries like the one you are considering. Don’t be afraid to get a third opinion and talk with men who have had the procedure about their experiences.

Be sure with Men’s Liberty

Lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery can all work to reduce or eliminate incontinence. Be confident and retake control of your bladder with Men’s Liberty in the meantime. Give us a call today to get started.