Male urinary incontinence is more common than you may think. Approximately one in 20 men over the age of 18, and one in 10 men over the age of 60 have symptoms of urinary incontinence.** Whether it's just a few drops or bigger leakages, urinary incontinence can be very frustrating, stressful and negatively impact quality of life. It's worth taking seriously and discussing with your healthcare professional. There are many male incontinence products that can help you feel confident and secure in your daily life. In this article, we cover the basics of incontinence in men and look into different incontinence products for men that can help relieve your symptoms.
Involuntary urinary incontinence is the medical term for lack of bladder control, meaning you are leaking urine. There are different types of male urinary incontinence, which we will cover below; however, each type of bladder control issue can be caused by different factors, diseases or physical challenges.
There are many different causes of incontinence that can affect men of all ages. Some of the common reasons for urinary incontinence in men include:
The main symptom of male urinary incontinence is passing urine unintentionally. When and how this occurs depends on the type of urinary incontinence you may have.
Some of the situations may include:
Always consult with a healthcare professional with any concerns regarding the symptoms of urinary incontinence. Keeping track of your urinary habits can help your doctor or healthcare professional determine the type of urinary incontinence and prescribe you the right male urinary incontinence products.
A healthcare professional can help you find the right treatment or incontinence products to help reduce, correct or control your symptoms.
There are a few treatment options to help relieve your symptoms. Some men are able to regain continence once they have a diagnosis and commence the recommended treatment plan.
However, it is also possible to manage incontinence by using incontinence products for men.
The right treatment and product solution depends on what type of urinary incontinence you are experiencing, as stress incontinence can require a different treatment from urge incontinence or overflow incontinence.
Common incontinence products for men include absorbents, protective underwear, incontinence pads for men, sheaths and urine bags.
Male urinary incontinence is most often treated using male incontinence pads or adult diapers. However, if you're looking for alternative male incontinence solutions that are less big and bulky, Coloplast's Conveen® Male range may be for you. The Conveen range includes a wide variety of male external catheters (sometimes called condom catheters or urisheaths) and collecting bags (urine bags), and offers an alternative to diapers or absorbent products to help relieve you from the stress of urine leakage. Take a 2-minute assessment to find out what Conveen products may be a fit for your unique situation.
If you have questions or concerns and would like advice on what male incontinence devices might be best for you, please contact us at 1-800-231-2371.
Are you having trouble finding the right size or understanding how to apply a male external catheter? Discover our FAQs and troubleshooting guide. Read more FAQs and view guide
If your MEC doesn't stay on, it could be caused by a few things. First, ensure that you are using the correct size MEC by downloading, printing and using our sizing guide. The wrong size can impact your experience with MECs, so it's important to find the right fit. Make sure you don't have extra material at the base of the penis. This could mean that the catheter is too long. You should make sure that the catheter fits securely to the shaft of your penis with no extra space or material. If it doesn't, it could also be that the circumference of the catheter is too large. Also, be sure to use a MEC made of 100% silicone.
No. These products may interfere with the adhesive of the MEC and could cause it to fall off. Instead, cleanse the penis with warm soap and water before applying the MEC. You should not apply any lanolin, oils, or cream-based products prior to MEC application.
A latex MEC may not adhere as properly as other MECs made of different material. An MEC of 100% silicone allows the skin to breathe which may reduce skin moisture build up making it easier for the MEC to stay on.
First, make sure that the connector is fully advanced into the tip of the catheter. If the connector is attached correctly, the tip of the catheter may twist and turn which may cause leakage. It may also cause the tip of the catheter to be pinched which could mean urine is unable to drain in the leg bag and therefore "backflows" into the catheter also causing leakage.
Check to see that the penis is not placed too far into the reservoir section of the catheter. If the penis is advanced too far down, twisting and turning of the catheter tip could cause skin abrasion and possible exposure to the connector.
Possible Issue:
Improper sizing (circumference, length or both)
Suggestion :
General Info:
Possible Issue:
Use of lanolin, oil or cream based products
Suggestion :
Do not apply any lanolin, oils or cream based products to the genital area
General Info:
Oils, creams and lotions can interfere with the adhesive properties and result in the catheter falling off
Possible Issue:
Latex MEC product
Suggestion :
Use MEC made of 100% silicone
General Info:
100% silicone allows the skin to breathe which may reduce skin moisture build-up resulting in optimal contact and performance.
Possible Issue:
Improper sizing(circumference)
Suggestion :
Use measuring guide to determine proper “circumference” fit
General Info:
The recommendation is to adjust the size.
Possible Issue:
Connector not fully advanced into catheter tip
Suggestion :
Ensure that urine collection tubing/connector is fully advanced into the catheter tip
General Info:
Incomplete advancement of connector into catheter tip allows twisting and turning of the catheter tip. Potential for urine back flow due to pinching of tip and may result in the disconnection resulting in accidental urine leakage
Possible Issue:
Penis advanced too far into the reservoir of catheter
Suggestion :
Review application diagram of proper placement of penis within catheter
General Info:
Penis placed too far into reservoir section of catheter leaves it open to possible abrasion of the twisting & turning of the tip of the catheter and possible exposure to the connector.
Possible Issue:
Improper application
Suggestion :
General Info:
Improper application may result in the penis coming too close to the connector within the catheter tip
Possible Issue:
Allergic reaction
Suggestion :
Individuals with allergies may prefer to apply a skin barrier product to the skin prior to application of the MEC
General Info:
A barrier offers a shield to prevent the adhesive from actually touching the skin.
Possible Issue:
Improper sizing
Suggestion :
General Info:
Try Coloplast’s award-winning male external catheter for men with urinary incontinence. Discreet, reliable and easy to use, Conveen Optima provides reliable protection from minor dribbling to heavier leakage Get your free sample* Conveen® Security+ leg bag Urine bags for extra security This secure and reliable urine collection bag is available in options for usage during day or night. Anti-kink tubing connects to the external catheter and reduces the risk of backflow.
This secure and reliable urine collection bag is available in options for usage during day or night. Anti-kink tubing connects to the external catheter and reduces the risk of backflow.
Our most discreet leg-bag is designed to give you the confidence to enjoy an active lifestyle. Small and discreet, the bag is invisible to others- even when worn under short clothing. The tubing shown connects to the external catheter.
