The different forms

Overflow incontinence

Dribbling of urine caused by narrowing of the bladder outlet, e.g., due to prostate enlargement. The bladder can no longer be completely emptied, even though it is full, and residual urine remains. This carries the risk of bladder or kidney infections if the bladder is not completely emptied, for example, by catheterization.

Urge incontinence

The most common form of incontinence in men! A distinction is made between a sensory and a motor form; the urge to urinate becomes so strong that urine often gushes out on the way to the toilet. It is distinguished as Sensory form: Irresistible urge to urinate with gushing urine, triggered by bladder infections, kidney stones, or tumors.

Motor form:

The bladder muscle is overactive and contracts involuntarily, leading to gushing urine. The reason for this is age-related changes in the nervous system, which lead to disturbances in signal transmission between the bladder and the brain.

Stress incontinence

Triggered by physical exertion, such as coughing, sneezing, or laughing, climbing stairs, or lifting, the pressure in the abdominal cavity is increased by muscle tension. This increased abdominal pressure is transferred to the bladder, and with weak pelvic floor muscles or sphincter muscles, involuntary dribbling of urine occurs. Causes include age-related tissue weakness or conditions following surgical procedures such as prostate operations for prostate cancer, for example.

Reflex incontinence or neurological bladder dysfunction

In this form, a distinction is made between spinal and supraspinal incontinence.

Spinal form:

The trigger is an injury or disease of the spinal cord. Affected individuals do not feel the urge to urinate even though the bladder muscle contracts due to a reflex, leading to uncontrolled urine leakage. The reason is interrupted nerve pathways between the brain and the spinal cord.

Supraspinal form:

Brain dysfunction with impaired control of bladder function. An urge to urinate is not felt, often in combination with neurological deficits.

What aids are available?

External incontinence aids - condom catheter with leg bag

Urine is collected via a condom catheter and drained through a tube into a leg bag. The collected urine is then emptied into the toilet via a closure mechanism on the leg bag.

Absorbent incontinence aids - disposable diapers

Special products for women and men with appropriate shape adaptation to the respective anatomy. Most manufacturers offer systems for dribbling and light incontinence, moderate incontinence, and severe incontinence.

Absorbent incontinence aids - washable items

Depending on the severity of incontinence, textile briefs with laundry protection, PU, or PVC briefs can be worn.
Properties of the different materials:
• Cotton briefs: optically discreet and secure
• PU briefs: breathable and durable
• PVC briefs: the cost-effective alternative
• Diaper briefs: combinable with various disposable products

Incontinence clamps

Penis clamps or incontinence clamps are becoming increasingly popular among users. These gently compress the urethra, thereby preventing urine leakage.

Continence training

Bladder training involves creating a micturition diary, where the affected person goes to the toilet at regular intervals to determine the correct bladder fullness before the urge to urinate sets in. Times are noted in the micturition diary to then determine the appropriate time for toileting after consistent implementation. Pelvic floor training, see Incontinence Training DVD