L'male urinary incontinence affects daily life. One third of the population is thought to be affected by this problem. Considered as taboo by 43% of the French, it is nevertheless common and can be solved. Dare to talk about your urine leakage By talking to a healthcare professional or those around you, you can find the right solutions to help you get on with your life. Let's put an end to the taboos surrounding incontinence!

By coughing, laughing, doing physical activity... bladder weakness occur both day and night. They occur suddenly and involuntarily. The International Continence Society (ICS) defines urinary incontinence as "an involuntary loss of urine objectively observed and resulting in social embarrassment". It can be seen that the notion of embarrassment immediately appears as an associated aspect. However, urine loss is quite common. More than 700,000 men(1) are affected by urinary incontinence in France. These urinary disorders can cause difficulties in everyday life. It can disrupt social life and affect self-esteem. However, it is important to remember that urinary incontinence is not a fatality!

1 in 3 French people

According to a survey carried out by Ifop for Mille Soixante Quatre in December 2018, and published in February 2019 (2), more than one in three French people aged 18 and over is affected by the phenomenon of urinary incontinence. 23% of those aged 75 and over say they are affected by this problem of urinary loss.

Although a majority of French people believe that urinary incontinence is not a taboo subject... 43% of the population recognise that it is perceived as such. Obviously, the perception of this taboo decreases sharply with age. 57% of the under 35s believe that bladder weakness is taboo compared to 44% of the 35-49s, 37% of the 50-641s and 30% of the 65s and over.

Taboos surrounding male urinary incontinence: what are the consequences?

When not properly managed, male urinary incontinence can be experienced as a traumatic ordeal. Indeed, it often leads to a frequent feeling of distress. It can also lead to a loss of male identity.

Bladder weakness will play an important role in the patient's quality of life, severely impairing it. For many people, it will have significant consequences on: self-confidence, sexual life, social, emotional, professional and family life. With age, this problem can become a handicap: withdrawal, refusal to see the world, etc. loss of mobility will add to these ills and the vicious circle of addiction can quickly begin.

Using bladder weakness protection

Men who suffer from urinary incontinence are not emotionally prepared to deal with these feelings of embarrassment and shame. The smell of urine, sometimes associated with wet trousers or clothing, contributes to the feeling of being "dirty". In order to hide the discomfort felt and to conceal the wearing of bladder weakness protectionAs a result, men would tend to change their behaviour (changing clothes and underwear several times a day, taking showers more frequently, wearing black stockings, etc.). In addition, a study has shown that incontinent men who use one pad per day have a virtually unchanged quality of life. The use of two or more pads per day is therefore associated with a loss of quality of life. Finally, as men age, they perceive their urinary incontinence as a degenerative process in their bodies.

The management of urinary incontinence in men has emotional consequences that affect daily life, quality of life, identity and self-image, and overall body function. Men tend to consult less about bladder weakness out of shame and suffer without medical assistance. But incontinence can be neat or minimized.

Breaking the taboos of male urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a medical condition that can be treated. So there is no reason to make it a taboo! On the contrary, we must avoid stigmatising the problem of urine leakage and making it a social handicap. For a person who suffers from incontinenceThe most important thing is to discuss it with your attending physician or to consult a urologist. The health professional can make a diagnosis, including through a voiding scheduleIn addition to the above, it is important to find a medication or homeopathic treatment for incontinence that will significantly improve the life of the patient suffering from voiding problems. The treatment also eliminates most of the social and psychological discomfort caused by urinary incontinence. In the majority of cases, the condition can be cured. There are also reliable, discreet and lightweight anatomical pads that improve comfort and prevent minor leaks.

(1) Pr Pierre Costa Urologist CHU Caremeau Nîmes Press conference New developments in the management of urinary incontinence Maison de l'Amérique Latine 15/04/2010. 700,000 urinary incontinent men. Slide n°15.

(2) Survey conducted by Ifop for Mille Soixante Quatre among a sample of 1014 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over.