Male Urinary Dysfunction

Do you limit your activities in fear of not making it to a bathroom in time?

You may be experiencing bladder control problems.

Urinary dysfunction can occur when the bladder or urethral sphincter does not function properly, or when an enlarged prostate obstructs urine flow.

At RIVEA Prostate Clinic, experienced urologists manage urinary dysfunction in men. Conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and neurogenic voiding dysfunction may contribute to bothersome urinary symptoms, including difficulty emptying the bladder.

Understanding the Prostate and Urinary System

The prostate is a male reproductive gland located at the base of the bladder and is typically about the size of a walnut. It produces fluid that helps nourish and protect sperm. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body and passes through the prostate gland.

The prostate undergoes two main phases of growth. The first occurs during puberty under the influence of hormones produced by the testicles, allowing the gland to reach its adult size. The second phase generally begins during a man's 30s and continues gradually with age.

Changes in urinary function accompany age. These changes may be related to inflammation or enlargement of the prostate gland but an enlarged prostate does not always lead to urinary symptoms, and urinary symptoms are not commonly an indication of prostate cancer.

Causes of Male Urinary Dysfunction

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.

The prostate surrounds the urethra, so enlargement can place pressure on the urinary passage and make it more difficult for urine to flow normally. This may cause the bladder to work harder to empty itself.

Symptoms can include:

• A sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
• Frequent urination
• Sudden urgency to urinate
• Overactive bladder symptoms
• Weak urine stream
• Frequent urination during the night
• Urine leakage

Although men with prostate cancer can also have BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia itself does not cause prostate cancer.

Neurogenic Voiding Dysfunction
Neurogenic voiding dysfunction develops when the nerves responsible for controlling bladder function do not communicate properly with the bladder muscles.

This may lead to:

• Urine leakage
• Bladder infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney damage caused by urine retention

Possible causes include:

• Pelvic or spinal surgery
• Diabetes
• Spinal cord injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Brain tumours
• Cerebral palsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke

Male Incontinence
Urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine.

Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence occurs when activities such as coughing, laughing, exercising, sneezing, or lifting place pressure on the bladder and cause leakage.

Urgency Incontinence
Urgency incontinence is characterised by an involuntary loss of urine accompanied by a sudden and intense urge to urinate.

Associated causes may include:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Bladder inflammation
• Bladder stones
• Bladder cancer
• Diabetes
• Infection
• Pelvic radiation
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke