Treatment Options

Overview.

For men looking to take control of their bladder, the following treatment options are available.

Behavioral techniques – Scheduled toileting is one technique that puts a man on a regular voiding regimen, and is typically recommended for the frail and elderly.  Bladder retraining is a way men can go to the bathroom at specific times in the day where times can gradually be extended to longer intervals.  This type of therapy is effective is treating urge and mixed incontinence.

Pharmacological – Depending on symptoms, medications can be given to help men with incontinence.  Anticholinergic agents can be used as first-line treatments for urge incontinence because they inhibit detrusor contraction, and may help increase bladder capacity.  Stress incontinence is typically treated with surgery¹

Biofeedback/Electrical Stimulation – Biofeedback/Electrical Stimulation is practiced to help people gain awareness and control of their urinary tract muscles. The principle of biofeedback is simple: a variety of instruments are used to record small electrical signals that are given off when specific muscles are squeezed to urinate. These muscle squeezings are then converted into audio (hearing) and/or visual (seeing) signs that patients can recognize and learn in order to control muscular activity. With biofeedback, weak muscles can be better activated on demand, overly tense muscles can be relaxed and overall muscle activity can be coordinated.

Surgical Options – Surgical procedures are available to treat male urinary stress incontinence.

• Injections of bulk-producing agents, such as collagen, into the urinary sphincter.
• Implanting a "male sling," a device designed to support the muscles around the urethra. The AMS AdVance™ or InVance® Male Sling Systems are highly effective, minimally invasive procedure to correct mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence.
• Implanting an artificial urinary sphincter, which mimics the function of a normal, healthy urinary sphincter. Currently the only artificial urinary sphincter available, the AMS 800™ Urinary Control System is an effective solution for moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence following prostate surgery.

1- Newman D. Managing and Treating Urinary Incontinence. Health Professions Press. 2002

To those suffering from urinary incontinence, it can feel like you’re missing out on all that life has to offer. The good news: There are more treatment solutions today than ever before. American Medical Systems, the world leader in male continence solutions, has developed a whole range of effective treatment solutions that your doctor can use to restore bladder control.