Breaking the Silence on Male Incontinence

Male incontinence remains a taboo subject, surrounded by misconceptions that it only affects elderly women or signals poor hygiene. In reality, one in four UK men over 40 will experience some form of bladder leakage. The lack of open discussion fuels embarrassment and isolation, especially for men, who are less likely to talk about health issues.

One man’s experience began after a radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, leaving him with severe incontinence requiring up to 15 pads daily. This impacted his confidence and daily life—he meticulously planned outings around bathroom access, wore only black trousers, and relied on highly absorbent, odor-neutralizing products. A Radar Key and a discreet man bag with supplies gave him more control, though he still faced stigma for using disabled toilets or carrying a bag.

Public awareness and facilities for men remain inadequate. Simple changes, like sanitary disposal bins and hooks in male restrooms, would greatly improve quality of life. Initiatives like TENA Men and Durham County Cricket Club’s installation of bins in all male toilets show progress. Normalizing the conversation and improving facilities can help men with incontinence live more confidently and without unnecessary limitations.

Ridley Smith, M. (2018, December 4). Sanitary towel bins in all bathrooms would be invaluable to incontinent men like me. Metro. https://metro.co.uk/2018/12/04/sanitary-towel-bins-in-all-bathrooms-would-be-invaluable-to-incontinent-men-like-me-8179875/?ito=cbshare