Numerous bladder disorders can manifest in men. According to Medline Plus and the National Institutes of Health, the bladder is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that collects and stores urine. Men and women can experience many of the same bladder disorders. The NIH states that doctors diagnose bladder disorders using urine tests, X-rays and cystoscope evaluations, which are procedures that use an instrument for bladder examination. Treatment of bladder disorders largely depends on the cause of the problem.
Cancer
Bladder cancer is a potentially life-threatening disorder that can affect men. According to the National Cancer Institute---a division of the NIH---almost 15,000 Americans are expected to die from bladder cancer in 2010. The NCI also estimates that approximately 70,000 new cases of bladder cancer will develop in 2010. The majority of bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas, cancers that arises in the cells composing the bladder's inner lining. Two other types of bladder cancers include squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, which develop in the bladder's inner lining owing to prolonged inflammation and irritation. According to the Mayo Clinic, common signs and symptoms associated with bladder cancer include blood in the urine, frequent urination, painful urination, urinary tract infections, abdominal pain and back pain.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a bladder disorder that can affect men. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases---a division of the NIH---defines urinary incontinence as the accidental leakage of urine. According to the NIDDK, many adult men have urinary incontinence, and although the prevalence of the condition increases with age, it is not an inevitable aspect of growing older. Men and women have different risk factors for urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence in men may be caused by diseases, medical conditions or injuries that damage nerves. Nerve problems can occur throughout a person's lifespan. Men who are particularly susceptible to urinary incontinence include those with diabetes, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis and those who have had strokes or spinal cord injuries.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is a bladder disorder that can occur in men. According to the International Cystitis Association---a nonprofit health organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with interstitial cystitis---the disorder is characterized by recurring pelvic pain, urinary frequency and urinary urgency. The ICA states that certain medical conditions appear to occur more frequently in a person with interstitial cystitis, including allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines and chronic fatigue syndrome, among others. According to the ICA, interstitial cystitis symptoms in men and women are similar, although these symptoms overlap with disorders that occur more commonly in men or only in men, such as chronic prostatitis, prostate infection and benign prostatic hyperplasia, or prostate enlargement. The ICA notes that pelvic floor physical therapy, which strengthens muscles that contribute to urinary continence, may be effective for both men and women with interstitial cystitis.
