Promoting male urinary continence

Urinary incontinence is a common problem among men of all ages, and can have a major impact on quality of life. Although incontinence rates in men could be as high as 24%, there is far less published information about male than female continence problems. Nurses have an important role to play in promoting continence by working with patients to identify appropriate incontinence management options. Incontinence can often be treated by non-invasive or minimally invasive means. Incontinence management should be considered before containment. However, nurses do need knowledge about management options to be able to support and advise patients. This article discusses a range of non-invasive and minimally invasive incontinence options. Although catheterisation should not be the first choice for most patients, it is discussed as it may be the most suitable option for some, particularly men with neurogenic bladders.

Experiencing and Managing Urinary Incontinence: A Qualitative Study

Urinary incontinence is a complex problem from which millions of people are affected worldwide. How the affected persons experience and organize their day-to-day lives has hardly been studied. This was the motive for a 2½-year study in the German-speaking region. Thirty-two problem-centered interviews were conducted with 22 women and 10 men, which were then analyzed using the grounded theory method, after Strauss and Corbin. The experience of urinary incontinence is dependent on the cause of the incontinence and on whether the episode of incontinence took place in private or in public. Incontinence itself influences social, cultural, and sportive activities and partner relationships. The results show that persons with incontinence use complex strategies to regain control. These include (a) being prepared for the next urge to urinate or the next episode of incontinence, (b) searching for possible therapies, and (c) forming a circle of trust.