Men are famously reluctant to talk about their health. Skip the GP appointment, push through the discomfort, deal with it privately - or not at all. It's a pattern that shows up across every area of men's health, and bladder and bowel issues are no exception.
Yet the numbers tell a different story about how common this really is. Around 2.4 million men and boys in Australia experience incontinence. And while it's often assumed to be an older person's condition, 7 in 10 people living with incontinence are under the age of 65. It affects men at every life stage.
This Men's Health Week, we're opening up the conversation that too many men are having quietly, alone.
Why men experience incontinence
Men's urological health is closely connected to the prostate. As the prostate grows with age - a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - it can press on the urethra and affect bladder control. Prostate cancer and its treatments, including surgery and radiation, are also common causes of urinary leakage in men.
The prevalence of urge incontinence, which is strongly associated with prostate disease, is fairly low in younger men and rises to around 30% for those aged 70-84 and 50% for those aged 85 and over.
Beyond the prostate, other causes include neurological conditions, diabetes, obesity, pelvic floor weakness, and certain medications. Stress incontinence - leaking during physical activity, coughing, or lifting - affects men too, not just women.
After prostate surgery: what to expect
Urinary leakage following a prostatectomy is one of the most common concerns men face after treatment. It's often temporary - many men see significant improvement within weeks to months as the pelvic floor muscles recover. However, the experience varies from person to person.
A continence physiotherapist can make a real difference during this period. Pelvic floor exercises, when done correctly and consistently, help speed recovery and restore control. Your urologist or GP can provide a referral, and earlier is better - starting pelvic floor rehabilitation before surgery is increasingly recommended.
In the meantime, the right continence product can make the recovery period far more manageable, giving men the confidence to stay active while healing.
The silence problem
Around 70% of people with urinary leakage do not seek advice or treatment. For men, the barrier is often shame, or the belief that nothing can be done. But incontinence is treatable - and in many cases, significantly improvable - with the right professional support and the right products.
The first step is always a conversation with your GP. From there, a referral to a urologist or continence physiotherapist can open up treatment pathways that many men don't know exist.
Products designed for men
At IncontinenceProducts.com.au, we carry a dedicated range for men:
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This Men's Health Week
If you're managing bladder leakage quietly, or supporting a man who is - now is a good time to take action. Book the GP appointment. Ask the question. Find the product that fits your life, not the other way around.
We're NDIS registered and our team is available on (02) 9531 2011 if you need guidance finding the right product for your situation.
Sources
- Continence Foundation of Australia - Men's Health: continence.org.au/about-incontinence/mens-health
- Continence Foundation of Australia - Incontinence Statistics: continence.org.au/about-incontinence/what-is-incontinence/statistics-on-incontinence