Advice & Support
for
Living with Incontinence

Male Incontinence Devices

There is a range of products available for men to manage involuntary urine leakage. It’s worth knowing about them to make sure you have the product that best suits you.
Published by Suz Disher
Male Incontinence Devices

The thought of wearing a product or device is uncomfortable for many men, usually due to a lack of familiarity and they imagine the worst. In fact, these products have been designed to allow you to easily get on with everyday life, without worrying about an embarrassing accident. Once you’ve tried them, you’ll appreciate how manageable and beneficial they are.

Choosing a male incontinence device

When choosing the best product for your needs, consider:

  • How much leakage do you need to manage? Is it just a dribble or a full bladder?
  • What’s most comfortable for you? Try a few different options and see what you prefer.
  • What’s best for the occasion? For example, you may use disposable pads during the day but prefer an external catheter overnight. If it’s a social event or you’re travelling, absorbent pants are a secure and discreet option.

 

 

Penile sheath, Condom Drainage, External Catheter
These are just different names for a silicone or latex devise that fits closely over the penis and connects with a tube to a plastic collection bag. The device is put on like a condom, so a secure fit is essential to avoid leaks. During the day, the collection bag can be attached to the leg with a strap and has a valve that allows it to be emptied into the toilet as required. At night, a larger bag can be hung beside the bed if needed.

You must be assessed by a continence nurse or other healthcare professional if you’d like to try one of these products. They’ll ensure you get the right one and be able to advise you on correct usage, as well as hygiene.


Internal Catheters
A tube is fed through the urethra (in the penis) and into the bladder to drain urine directly.

If you’ve had prostate surgery, you may have had a short-term catheter after your operation, while you were in hospital.

Others have catheters long-term, under medical supervision. You need training for these, as they must be regularly changed to avoid infection and other health issues.

The other type is intermittent catheterisation, where it’s inserted several times a day to empty the bladder and then removed immediately afterwards. Again, training is required as this is self-administered.

Internal catheters are used only when absolutely necessary and must be prescribed by a doctor if they are used out of hospital.



Reusable pads and pants
There are many styles and fabrics (cotton, bamboo, hemp) available online. If you choose this option, make sure you change them regularly and carefully follow the washing instructions as they don’t usually have odour control.



Disposable protective products
Specially designed to quickly absorb and lock away fluid, disposable pads keep the skin dry and control odour. Men are often surprised to discover how comfortable, absorbent and discreet these are. You can check out TENA’s full range of Male products here. And if you’re not sure what to choose, try our Product Finder Tool and take advantage of our free samples offer to find the one that suits your needs best.

Just remember to dispose of used products in the bin and never try and flush them down the toilet.

Whichever product you decide to use, make sure you change it regularly and observe good hygiene practices to avoid infection and maintain skin integrity.

 


Sources:

Essity Australasia makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional, medical or other health professional advice.