Male urinary incontinence: why it occurs and how to help patients

Many men experience urinary incontinence at some point, and any nurse may have contact with these patients. Find out how to ask about it and how to offer support

Urinary incontinence – the unintentional passing of urine – is a common problem among men, despite often being seen as a ‘women’s issue’, particularly after childbirth or the menopause.

One in three men aged 65 is estimated to have a urinary incontinence problem, according to the charity Prostate Cancer UK .

How many men experience urinary incontinence?

The NHS England Excellence in Continence Care guide suggests that 34% of women live with urinary incontinence, while 61% of men are thought to experience lower urinary tract