How To Empty Your Bladder Completely To Help Incontinence
There are many different reasons why you might be experiencing urinary incontinence as a man. And while it might be caused by weak pelvic floor muscles or bladder muscles, it might just be happening because you’re not emptying your bladder all the way.
Bladder emptying is easier said than done, but we’ve got some tips and tricks to empty your bladder and help with urinary incontinence.
Causes of Urinary Retention
Urinary retention is when your bladder doesn’t empty all the way (or at all). Acute urinary retention comes on quickly and can be severe, though it is only temporary. Chronic urinary retention means you’ve had the condition for a long period.
Urinary retention is common in older adults, but some risk factors might worsen it or give you an increased risk of developing it, including:
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Medications: Antihistamines, opiates, and other medications prescribed by your healthcare provider can change how the bladder muscles work. They might lead to incontinence or an inability to empty the bladder.
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Nerve issues: Peeing happens when your brain tells the bladder to tighten, releasing urine out of the relaxed urethra. But if anything gets in the way of these nerve signals, your bladder won’t be able to fully empty. People with a history of stroke, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis have a higher chance of incomplete bladder emptying due to nerve issues in their pelvic organs.
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Blockage: The most common cause of chronic urinary retention in men occurs when the prostate gland gets so big that it presses on the urethra and blocks the urinary system. This is why prostate exams are so essential for your overall wellness (as well as to check for prostate cancer). While these rectum exams can be uncomfortable, your health and safety matter.
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Infections: Infections of the prostate can lead to swelling, which blocks urine flow from the urethra. Other diseases like STIs and UTIs can also make it hard to pass urine.
- Importance of Emptying Your Bladder
Emptying your bladder completely and frequently can help prevent urine from leaking at inopportune times. However, it has some other important benefits.
If you can pee completely every three to four hours, you reduce the likelihood of developing a UTI (urinary tract infection or bladder infection). You also work to protect your kidneys from damage.
Additionally, if you fail to empty your bladder properly, it goes into something called “retention.” This can make your bladder muscle become overstretched, which might cause damage.
This leads to a vicious cycle where an overstretched bladder muscle can never properly contract and empty correctly, which increases your risk of incontinence due to an overactive bladder.
Bladder Emptying Techniques
If you’re struggling to completely empty your bladder and feel confident in your bladder control, there are some ways you can go about enhancing it.
Here are some of our favorite techniques.
- Void bowels regularly: Constipation in your colon places a lot of pressure on the bladder, which makes it more difficult to empty. If you need to have a bowel movement, do it as soon as possible to ensure your bladder is emptying properly.
- Don’t push: Allowing your bladder muscles to contract naturally is important for bladder health. Don’t push, as this can actually lead to more problems down the line.
- Don’t hang out too long: The longer you stand there and wait for your bladder to empty, the more it will train itself that it’s not actually empty. This can increase your risk of being unable to empty your bladder down the road. Use the restroom, give yourself a second push when you think your urine stream is done, and then get out of there when you’re finished.
- Drink lots of water: Staying hydrated flushes out toxins and waste in your body, which also helps to pass urine more frequently. Having a regular urination schedule and a full bladder is better than never knowing when you’ll need to go, so try drinking at least 15.5 cups of water daily to stay healthy.
- Eat healthy: The foods you eat majorly affect bladder and bowel leaks. Certain irritants include diuretics like caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks. It’s not to say you need to completely eliminate these from your diet, but maybe match every beer with a glass of water when you decide to drink.
MDP for Mild Incontinence
Even while you work on some kegel exercises or other techniques to fight bladder problems and enhance bladder control, you’ll still probably dribble here and there.
It’s embarrassing, but it’s entirely common — especially for men with enlarged prostates or underlying conditions. But you don’t need to stress about light incontinence, thanks to MDP.
MDP is a state-of-the-art solution for the modern man that is formulated with the male anatomy in mind. It’s one of the first incontinence products that fits directly on your penis rather than just on the inside of your underpants.
This adjustable two-strap solution delivers a comfortable fit for every man’s unique anatomy, and you can freely tighten or loosen it as you wish. And since it adheres to your penis instead of your pants, you can have comfort and confidence as you return to the activities you love.
Its super-absorbent core can hold up to about two ounces of light drips and minor leakage, which is about the size of a large shot glass, and if you need to put on a fresh one, just step right into the bathroom.
The best way to see the benefits of MDP is to try it out for yourself. Get your first box today and feel the difference.
In Conclusion
Fully emptying your bladder when you use the restroom is easier said than done, especially if you have an underlying condition placing excess pressure on your bladder. Things like constipation, enlarged prostate, or certain medications can make it tough to know when your bladder is really good to go.
This can lead to leaks, dribbles, and discomfort if you cannot fully release when you use the restroom. Talking to a health professional for medical advice is a great first step in identifying the issue.
But you can improve your bladder health by voiding your bowels regularly, drinking lots of water, eating bladder-healthy foods, and trying not to push too hard when using the restroom.
Sources:
Urinary Retention | Cleveland Clinic