A urologist is a physician who specializes in treating problems of the male genitourinary tract and female urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, and the male reproductive organs. In treating patients a urologist can also educate them on cancers of the urinary tract, kidney stones, bladder infections, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, urinary retention, sexual dysfunction, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, prostate enlargement and prostate testing.
Urethral inserts like Contino® are temporarily inserted into the urethra (the tube which carries urine to the outside of the body) to prevent or reduce bladder leakage. In men, the prevalence of incontinence is much lower than in women, about 3% to 11% overall, with urge incontinence accounting for 40% to 80% of all male patients. Stress incontinence accounts for less than 10% of cases and is attributable to prostate surgery, trauma, or neurological injury. Other causes of male incontinence can be prostate surgery or an enlarged prostate; an overactive bladder; diabetes or Parkinson's disease. Some men find that drinking alcohol, caffeine or pop (especially before bed) increases their male incontinence, while others are fine. There are also incontinence pads that some men find helpful. They stop leakage and block odor, which can increase a man's confidence. If you'd like more information about how incontinence products like pads, Contino® products and surgery, talk to your local urologist or family physician.