While men experience bladder control problems less frequently than women, between 7 and 15 percent of older men suffer from urinary incontinence of other bladder problems, lead author Cindy Maloney-Monaghan reports in an article published in "Ostomy Wound Management." Urinary symptoms in men often occur because of problems with the prostate, the walnut-shaped organ that surrounds the urethra and often grows larger as men age. An enlarged prostate puts pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. Other problems with the urinary tract can also lead to bladder control issues in men.
Hesitation, Straining or Weak Stream
Straining to urinate as well as hesitation when first starting to urinate or a weak urine stream all occur because of partial obstruction of the urethra, usually by an enlarged prostate, The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library states. An enlarged prostate can occur from benign prostatic hypertrophy, an enlargement of the prostate commonly seen as men age or from cancer of the prostate. A stricture or narrowing of the urethra can also cause these symptoms. Drugs to shrink the prostate or surgery to dilate a stricture help improve urinary hesitation, straining during urination or a weak urine stream.
Incontinence
Incontinence--an inability to control urine flow--can occur as part of stress, urgency or overflow incontinence, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders states. Stress incontinence occurs when abdominal pressure is increased, such as when a man coughs, laughs or lifts something heavy. Urgency incontinence occurs when an overwhelming need to urinate immediately leads to involuntary urine loss. Overflow incontinence, a constant dribbling of urine, may occur because the bladder isn't completely emptied during urination. An overactive bladder due to nerve problems caused by diabetes, a stroke, Parkinson's disease a urinary tract infection, a spinal cord injury or prostate problems can all cause urinary incontinence. Problems with the deltrusor muscle, the muscle in the bladder wall that controls bladder contraction, can also lead to incontinence. Treatments include medications, bladder training or surgery.
Nocturia
Nocturia means excessive urination at night. Nocturia often indicates kidney problems, but also occurs in heart or liver failure or poorly controlled diabetes, the Merck Manuals state. Obstruction of the bladder and urethra from an enlarged prostate can also cause nocturia. Excessive coffee or alcohol intake in the evening or taking diuretics--medications that increase urination--too close to bedtime can also lead to nocturia. Determining and treating the cause helps control nocturia.
