This piece has been medically reviewed by Susie Gronski, PT, DPT, Medical Advisor to Aeroflow Urology.
Do you find yourself leaking urine after using the bathroom or putting toilet paper in your undergarments to dry up drips?
Well, it turns out that these things are common among men. So what exactly is going on in your body to cause so much dribbling?
Read this post to find out and see what easy solutions are available to you at home and in the workplace.
Navigation
How Did I Develop Incontinence?
How to Stop Incontinence Dribbles
Get Free Incontinence Supplies
Why Am I Dribbling?
While you may be having minimal leakage, dripping urine after you empty your bladder, also known as post-micturition dribble, is a classic sign of urinary incontinence.
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Urinary incontinence is defined as a loss of bladder control and can happen to women and men and is very common in the US; around 3.4 million men experience it. Urinary incontinence is more common in older men, although males of any age can experience it.
Three types of urinary incontinence could contribute to post-void dribbling:
Stress Incontinence (SI): Leaking urine when you sneeze, laugh, cough, lift heavy objects, have sex, or exercise.
Overflow Incontinence: When you cannot fully pass urine due to an underlying issue, leading to urine dribbling from the bladder.
Urge Incontinence: Feeling the sudden urge to urinate.
Males may not have either of these types of incontinence and still experience post-micturition dribble. There are many factors that might cause dribbling after urinating:
- Rushing to pee.
- Medications and recreational drugs that impact bladder function (muscle relaxants, cannabis, etc.)
- Bladder irritants (caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, etc.)
How Did I Develop Incontinence?
SI, urge, and overflow incontinence can develop in men due to:
- Weak pelvic floor muscles.
- Overactive pelvic floor muscles.
- Aging
- Post-prostatectomy surgery.
- Enlarged prostate.
- Overflow incontinence due to urinary retention.
SI develops due to the diminished ability of pelvic floor muscles to adapt to pressure / load demands placed on them in varying situations like exertional activities. This could also be due to diminished muscle coordination, overactive pelvic muscles, medications influencing the bladder and urinary sphincters, etc.
Several things can cause overflow incontinence, including:
- Nerve injuries or damage from medical conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Spina bifida.
- Certain medications that affect nerve signals.
- Urethral blockages.
- Kidney stones.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Enlarged prostate gland.
- Constipation
How to Stop Incontinence Dribbles
If you find that your urine stream continues even after you’ve used the urinal or toilet, you can use these tips to regain your quality of life.
#1. Address the Problem
If your bathroom pipes were leaking, would you just put a bandaid over it?
No! Or at least, you shouldn’t.
Addressing the fact that your urinary leakage— no matter how mild it is— isn’t normal is the first step to managing incontinence.
#2. Ditch the Toilet Paper!
One of the most straightforward solutions to light urinary incontinence is to replace toilet paper with a reliable and free incontinence product from Aeroflow Urology.
We may be able to supply you with male incontinence shields, male guards, or even adult briefs at no cost to you if you qualify through insurance.
These products are helpful and have the following advantages:
- Odor control.
- Designed to fit the male anatomy.
- Breathable yet very absorbent.
- Discreet
- Cloth-like fabric that nourishes the skin.
- Fit into undergarments.
- Easy to dispose of.
- FREE through Medicaid and Aeroflow Urology.
Usually, males with minimal to light urinary incontinence (up to 2 cups of leakage in 24 hours) benefit best from using bladder pads, such as male guards or male shields.
Male Guard: A bladder pad equipped with more absorption and odor control that’s best for light incontinence.
Male Incontinence Shield: An incontinence pad with a bit less absorbency that’s best fit for males with minimal incontinence.
To see if you can get free male incontinence supplies, fill out our Eligibility Form.
It takes under five minutes to complete, and one of our Continence Care Specialists will reach out to you after to help you get started.
#3. Seek Medical Advice
See a healthcare provider or urologist to discover what type of incontinence you’re dealing with, so you can come up with a plan to manage or reverse your symptoms.
It’s essential to see a healthcare provider to rule out other severe underlying medical conditions, such as an enlarged prostate.
#4. Sit Down While You Pee
Studies show that men who have prostate problems may be able to pee more easily if they sit down because it relaxes the muscles around the prostate.
#5. Give Pelvic Floor Exercises a Try
Pelvic floor exercises for men (also known as Kegel exercises) and pelvic floor therapy are beneficial for managing incontinence. They keep your pelvic floor happy and healthy and can prevent incontinence.
Other regular amounts of exercise can also improve the overall health of your body, so combine some weight lifting, cardio, and pelvic floor exercises into your lifestyle.
#6. Manage Your Weight
Obesity has been linked to urinary incontinence.
This is because extra body fat in the abdominal area puts more pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and bladder, so you should see your healthcare provider and make a plan to manage your weight.
#7. Don't Sit for Too Long
It can be challenging to get up and move around during the day, especially if your job requires you to be at a desk, but it’s been proven that sitting for long periods can cause damage to your pelvic floor muscles.
This is due to the pressure that’s put on those muscles when you have poor sitting posture.
It’s recommended that adults take as many steps as they can in a day to gain the health benefits of walking, so stand up when you can, stretch, go for a walk on your break, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or try a standing desk. Bonus: Walking can help you manage your weight to decrease incontinence symptoms!
#8. Eat Foods That Make Your Bladder Happy
One of the simplest lifestyle changes you can make to help manage incontinence is to watch what you eat.
Certain items, such as spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and citrus fruits, can cause bladder irritation, making you feel like you need to urinate more.
Cut these out and instead aim for:
- Fresh vegetables.
- Whole grains.
- Lean proteins.
- Nuts and seeds.
- Foods high in Omega-3s.
#9. Stay Hydrated
It may seem counterintuitive, but not drinking water to avoid trips to the bathroom does more harm than good when it comes to your urinary system.
Dark yellow, concentrated urine, created when you’re dehydrated, irritates your bladder and makes you pee more. Water also helps drain toxins and waste from your body, which reduces the risk of urinary blockages and UTIs.
To stay hydrated, males should drink about 15 cups of water per day.
#10. Don't Be Ashamed!
Many people in the United States avoid speaking about their incontinence due to embarrassment or shame. Some even avoid telling their healthcare providers about their issues, which can delay treatment and allow for symptoms to increase in severity.
Always speak with your healthcare provider or urologist about your incontinence symptoms, and know you are not alone.
How to Get Free Incontinence Supplies
At Aeroflow Urology, we understand that dealing with urinary incontinence can be embarrassing for some.
Still, if you’re putting toilet paper in your underwear to stop urine dribbling, it may be time to use incontinence products.
You can get FREE bladder pads through Aeroflow Urology and your Medicaid or other private insurance plans, so check if you qualify today.
If you’re eligible, one of our Continence Care Specialists will reach out to you and help you obtain the necessary prescription from your doctor’s office. We’ll also give you a curated shopping list from which to choose your favorite products and even send you FREE samples before you’ve made your choice!
After you pick your supplies online, we’ll send them to you for free in unmarked packaging every month. We’ll also send you text or email reminders when it’s time to resupply so you won’t need to worry about running out.
Check if you’re eligible today with our quick and easy Eligibility Form!
Dr. Susie Gronski, PT, DPT
Weller, C. (2014, October 17). Men With LUTS, Other Prostate Problems May Improve Urination By Sitting Down. Medical Daily. https://www.medicaldaily.com/men-luts-other-prostate-problems-may-improve-urination-sitting-down-307375
Living with a urinary catheter - Drinking lots of fluids. (n.d.).Healthtalk.org.https://healthtalk.org/living-urinary-catheter/drinking-lots-of-fluids#:~:text=People%20with%20a%20long%2Dterm
Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to incontinence.
