A lot of people who experience bladder issues may be hesitant to see their doctor. Many find it embarrassing to talk about while others consider it a sign of ageing that they just need to get used to. But in order to clarify what is causing the symptoms and to rule out anything potentially serious, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.

When to get in contact with your doctor

You should make an appointment to see your doctor if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• I feel that I cannot fully empty my bladder
• I need to get out of bed at night to pass urine
• I leak urine during my sleep
• Urine comes out in a weak stream
• I often suffer from urinary tract infections
• I need to pass urine more frequently than I used to
• I feel an urge to pass even small amounts of urine
• I feel an urge to pass even small amounts of urine and sometimes I do not make it to the toilet
• I leak urine when I am physically active, laugh or sneeze

Depending on the cause and nature of your issues, you may be given advice about pelvic floor training, lifestyle changes such as modifying diet and fluid intake, or managing your symptoms with the help of pharmaceuticals and/or medical devices.

Coloplast offers a range of solutions that can help if you are unable to empty your bladder or if you experience urinary incontinence.

Unable to empty the bladder

Coloplast offers several Clean Intermittent Catheters (CIC). This kind of catheter is considered the gold standard for people with a long-term need for help emptying their bladder. 

Men with urinary incontinence

Coloplast offers a range of urisheaths for men who experience urinary incontinence. These are condom-type sheaths that are worn over the penis and connect to a collecting bag attached to the leg.

Surgical treatment

Read more about your surgical treatment options.

Non-neurogenic bladder

Men

The most common bladder issue men face is difficulty emptying the bladder. The cause of this is often an enlarged prostate, known as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Men can also be affected by urinary incontinence. This typically results from prostate or bladder surgery, but may also be consequence of age-related weakening of the pelvic floor. 

Women

For women, the most common bladder issue is urinary incontinence, also known as stress incontinence. This is often a consequence of weakening of the pelvic floor caused by childbirth and ageing. 

Neurogenic bladder

The term neurogenic bladder covers a variety of bladder issues. Typically, people with neurogenic bladder will have Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Spina Bifida, diabetes mellitus, stroke etc