Coping With Urinary Incontinence

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Bladder control issues that lead to urinary incontinence is far more common than many people realize. For those that are destined for a lifetime of incontinence there are many ways to control the problem. Condom catheters are a popular choice because of the ability to wear and empty them discreetly. This external catheter is a great choice for men with loss of bladder function. They can be worn at night, too, although some people rely on incontinence bed pads during sleep and reattach the condom catheter in the morning.

Protective clothing in the form of adult diapers or absorbent briefs is popular because anyone can use them and they are readily available. While these pads are highly absorbent for some it means a lifestyle change. Monitoring liquid intake throughout the day may seem a hassle to some. For others it is a small price to pay to have a disposable brief. The negative side for some is the feeling of bulkiness and “wetness” from wearing a soiled brief.

Another method that is rarely opted for given a choice of the previous two is an indwelling catheter. Here a catheter is inserted into the bladder and left in place. Urine is drained into a collection bag usually worn on the leg. This method is similar to a condom cath, but requires skill and may lead to urinary track infections. Many people that use this method like the freedom of never worrying about having pads stay on or a slippage from an external cath.

There are no right or wrong choices. A person suffering from urinary incontinence just wants to feel clean and comfortable. It may take experimentation or trial-and-error to find the right choice. The last consideration that people must factor into the equation is cost. For some the choice is simple: it is the one that insurance will pay for!