Urology

Not necessarily, although urinary incontinence occurs about twice as often in females than males. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and female anatomy account for the difference. But of the approximately 12 million sufferers in the United States, about one-third are men. Male incontinence is often associated with prostate problems or treatments.

Generally, it’s a good idea to call your doctor or schedule an appointment if you have a sudden onset of incontinence, if you’re having enough accidents that you need to either wear a pad for urine absorption, or if incontinence is interfering with your lifestyle.

A change in the normal balance of water salts, mineral and other components in urine creates a process known as urolithiasis in which solid mineral particles cluster in the kidneys. There are different types of stones, including calcium oxalate, uric acid, ammonic magnesium and cystine.

Certain groups of people are more prone to kidney stones, and some medical conditions can be contributors. Men in their 30s, 40s and 50s are mostly likely to get stones, and postmenopausal women and women who have had their ovaries removed are at a higher risk than normal. Other contributors include frequent urinary tract infections, insulin resistance, cystic fibrosis, gout, inflammatory bowel disease, gastric bypass surgery, hyperparathyroidism, high blood pressure, and bladder problems resulting from spinal injuries.

Drink lots of water. The most common cause of stones is an insufficient daily water intake. The goal should be to drink enough to keep your urine clear – about eight to ten glasses per day. In addition, studies have indicated that staying physically fit and keeping your weight in check can help as well.

The no-scalpel incision vasectomy has become very popular in the U.S. because of the decreased discomfort that men experience with this particular technique. We perform the no-scalpel incision vasectomy and would be happy to provide you with more information about this procedure.

The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening for all men over the age of 50, including a digital rectal exam and a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test. Men with a family history of prostate cancer should start annual screenings between age 40 and 45.

One reason that screening for prostate cancer is so important as a man ages is that localized and curable prostate cancer has no symptoms. A decrease in the force of the urinary stream or other voiding issues is most likely due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) than prostate cancer. For men with localized prostate cancer and some urination problems, the explanation is that BPH is occurring coincidentally with the prostate cancer. Men with advanced prostate cancer, however, may have similar symptoms as men with BPH, including blood in the urine, painful urination, and a decreased urinary flow. Fortunately, with today’s emphasis on screening and early detection, more than nine in 10 prostate cancers are found in potentially curable stages.

There are four types of overactive bladder, including:

1. Urgency:  A sudden and overwhelming need to urinate immediately.
2. Frequency: Urinating more than 8 times a day (normal is about 4-6 times daily or every 3-5 hours)
3. Urge incontinence: Urine leakage (wetting accident) that follows a sudden urge (amount can be anywhere from a few drops to the entire contents of bladder)
4. Nocturia: Waking up 2 or more times during the night to urinate (most people can sleep 6-8 hours without having to urinate)

Overactive bladder is not a normal condition at any age. Without treatment, symptoms may go from merely bothersome to becoming a severe urinary bladder condition. When uncontrollable urgency, frequency or leakage become a troublesome pattern, it’s time to talk to your healthcare provider about this issue.