As of: January 19, 2024, 3:52 p.m
By: Nina Dudek
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Many people suffer from it, many hide it.
Out of shame and disgust.
Incontinence.
A problem for which there are many good solutions today.
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This doesn't change anything for you.
It's embarrassing, it's unpleasant, it drives some of those affected into isolation.
If urine suddenly comes out unintentionally when sneezing, coughing or running.
Although around 13 out of 100 adults in Germany are affected, women more often than men, most people remain silent about it.
Out of shame and the fear of being labeled “disgusting”.
Urinary incontinence can even affect young people, with almost 30 percent of those over 80 years old.
But urinary incontinence is not a fate; in many cases it can be treated or managed wonderfully with discreet aids.
Particularly pleasant: All products can be ordered discreetly online and delivered in neutral packaging.
The most important thing at a glance
What causes urinary incontinence?
Why you should definitely find “your” ideal solution
What can you do about urinary incontinence?
Recommended by Stiftung Warentest: insoles for incontinence
What can you do about incontinence in men?
I was so ashamed and disgusted with myself.
At first “it” only happened when I sneezed, then even when climbing stairs.
Now that I know that many people my age suffer from the same problem and that you can still manage everyday life wonderfully, I dare to socialize again.
People affected by incontinence on Facebook
Incontinence can become a serious problem.
Fortunately, there is help that makes everyday life much easier.
© AndrewLozovyi/PantherMedia
What causes urinary incontinence?
The causes of urinary incontinence are very diverse and depend on the type of incontinence.
There are different forms of urinary incontinence, which differ in their symptoms and triggers.
The most common are:
Stress incontinence
: This is where urine loss occurs when the pressure in the abdominal cavity increases, for example when coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or exercising.
This is due to weakness of the sphincter or pelvic floor, which affects the closure of the urethra.
Possible factors that can contribute to stress incontinence include: childbirth, menopause, obesity, chronic cough, abdominal surgery or a genetic predisposition.
Urge incontinence
: Here the patient feels a sudden and strong urge to urinate, which often cannot be suppressed.
Sometimes it's enough to go to the toilet in time; those affected often lose urine beforehand.
The reason for this is an overactive bladder that contracts uncontrollably.
Possible factors that can contribute to urge incontinence include: urinary tract infections, bladder stones, bladder tumors, nerve damage, neurological diseases (e.g. Parkinson's, stroke, dementia), medications or psychological stress.
Mixed incontinence
: This involves symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence.
The causes are usually a combination of the factors mentioned above.
Overflow incontinence
: Here the bladder can no longer be completely emptied because it is either overstretched or can no longer contract properly.
This leads to constant dribbling or incomplete emptying when urinating.
The cause is usually a narrowing or blockage of the urethra, which prevents the flow of urine.
Possible factors that may contribute to overflow incontinence include: an enlarged prostate, urethral narrowing, urethritis, nerve damage, or medications.
I work in the trades, so I have to lift a lot.
And of course I like to laugh with my colleagues.
Both became a problem at some point and I withdrew.
Until I took the first step and ordered “little helpers” online.
Since then I have felt better and am tackling my incontinence aggressively.
Social media post from a car mechanic
Why you should definitely find “your” ideal solution
Anyone who suffers from incontinence doesn't “just” lose urine unintentionally.
In the worst case, the problems spread widely.
Using unsuitable insoles can cause skin irritation in the intimate area or urinary tract infections.
This also increases the risk of hospitalizations and nursing home admissions.
Not to mention that everyday activities, social contacts, sports or leisure activities, but also sex life are affected.
In the worst case, the psychological stress can lead to depression, social isolation and loneliness.
Urge incontinence can increase the risk of falls, especially in older people.
If you have to go to the toilet quickly, you may stumble faster and more often.
What can you do about urinary incontinence?
The good news: a lot!
In any case, the be-all and end-all are discreet but absorbent insoles that provide a feeling of security anytime, anywhere.
How urinary incontinence is further treated depends on the cause, form and severity of the disease.
You should also avoid three drinks that increase the urge to urinate.
There are various options that can be used individually or in combination.
Pelvic floor training
: The pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened through targeted exercises.
This is particularly helpful for stress incontinence.
The exercises can be easily carried out at home with a special pelvic floor trainer or – at least at the beginning – with specialist guidance.
Many physiotherapy practices offer such courses (often with a prescription).
Pelvic floor trainer for at home
Toilet training
: Regular and controlled urination trains the bladder and reduces the urge to urinate.
Particularly effective for urge incontinence.
To train your bladder, create a precise schedule of toilet visits without overfilling your bladder.
This is how the bladder “learns” when it is time.
Medication
: Depending on the type of incontinence, medications such as anticholinergics, alpha-blockers, or hormonal medications may help.
These must be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.
Using Botox for urinary incontinence
: How treatment can relieve symptoms
Operations
: For certain forms of incontinence and when other treatments are not sufficient, surgery is often the only option.
For example, bands are placed around the urethra or a bladder pacemaker is inserted.
Such procedures require an experienced urologist.
Resources
: Don't be afraid of huge, uncomfortable adult diapers!
Modern inserts, but also condom urinals and other aids are inconspicuous and comfortable to wear.
Most of them can also be ordered discreetly online.
Bed pads
: Nobody has control over their body when they sleep.
Then the muscle tone decreases and the deep muscles also come to rest.
Those who suffer from incontinence sometimes lose a little more than they do during the day.
In this case, bed inserts provide hygienic security.
To the disposable documents
To the washable documents
Recommended by Stiftung Warentest: insoles for incontinence
Stiftung Warentest's Austrian partner organization, the Association for Consumer Information (VKI), has examined twelve products for mild to moderate bladder weakness.
LIDL's own brands “Siempre hygiene insoles normal” and Müller “Duchesse hygiene insoles Extra Plus for bladder weakness” perform very well.
The “Tena Discret Lady Pads Normal” and the “always Discreet Boutique” were also convincing.
Order test-winning insoles discreetly online
Strength “normal” – Tena Discret Lady Pads Normal
Strength “normal” – always Discreet Boutique
Strong for the night – Always Discreet incontinence pads Plus Ultimate Night
As discreet panties – Always Discreet Pants
What can you do about incontinence in men?
Men are less affected than women, but the problem is the same: especially how “men” deal with it discreetly in everyday life.
But here too there are modern and completely invisible helpers.
To counteract the urge to urinate and unwanted urination, men can take the same measures as women.
Only when it comes to pelvic floor training do male patients initially find it more difficult than women.
In this case, it is advisable to get a prescription for physiotherapy from your trusted urologist or family doctor.
Specially trained specialist staff reveal simple but effective tricks with which pelvic floor training can be done quickly at home.
Book tip:
Pelvic floor training for men is simple and effective
Incontinence boxer shorts: the inconspicuous ones
Boxer shorts with fly – the invisible incontinence pants © Amazon
Discreet design, complete protection and comfort, absorbency up to 150ml, can be washed over 50 times
For boxer shorts
Discreet and inconspicuous: Order men's insoles online
For mild urine loss – Tena Men Level 1 for mild bladder weakness/incontinence
Strength “normal” – Tena Men absorbent protectors in a monthly package
Strength “medium” – Tena Men’s Active Fit
Strength “extra” – Seni Man Extra
V-shaped fit – MoliCare Premium
You can find the test results from Stiftung Warentest here.
Please note
: This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.
It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor.
Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about medical conditions.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked.