Incontinence after childbirth

Incontinence doesn’t just happen after childbirth – men’s pelvic floor can fail too

When you search the web for help with urinary retention issues, the results are unfortunately often drowned in articles about women and **postpartum incontinence**. It’s a reality that leaves many men feeling overlooked, alone and perhaps even ‘wrong’. Because even if you haven’t given birth, you’re faced with exactly the same annoying symptoms: dribbling in your pants, a sudden, irresistible urge to pee or small accidents when you’re physically active.

The reality is that as a man, you have a pelvic floor that is just as important as a woman’s. And even if it’s not exposed to childbirth, it’s exposed for life. Stress, heavy lifting, surgery, chronic tension and a busy schedule can lead to exactly the same challenges that women experience. At MS Insight, I meet men every day who struggle with incontinence – often in combination with erectile dysfunction or lower abdominal pain. It’s not a sign of weakness, but a signal that your body needs help to regain balance. Here’s my professional take on why you’re experiencing this and how I can help you resolve it.

Why am I talking about incontinence in a men’s clinic?

It’s a common misconception that pelvic floor problems are exclusive to women. Although the keyword **postpartum incontinence** dominates the health debate, the anatomy of your pelvic floor is crucial to your quality of life. Your pelvic floor is a complex network of muscles and nerves that acts like a dynamic hammock. It supports your internal organs, keeps you tight and plays an absolutely key role in your sexual performance.

I bring this topic up because male incontinence is rarely an isolated issue. I often see it as the ‘canary in the coal mine’ – an early warning sign that something in your genital area is not functioning optimally. It can be the start of – or the companion to – erectile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) and chronic pelvic pain (CPPS).

I typically see two types of incontinence in my male clients:
1. **Urge incontinence:** A sudden, violent urge to urinate that you can’t suppress and forces you to know the location of every restroom in the city.
2. Post-drip:** When you think you’re done but find that urine comes out in your pants shortly after you zip up.

Whatever form it takes, it is socially inhibiting and psychologically stressful. But the most important message is: It’s treatable.

When the cause isn’t childbirth: What really happens in the male body?

Leaving aside **postpartum incontinence**, which is the most common cause in women, what is the cause for you? As a man, it’s rare for the pelvic floor to become “flaccid” in the same way as after pregnancy. On the contrary, in the clinic I often see the exact opposite: an *overstretched* pelvic floor.

The overstretched pelvic floor (Hypertonic state)

Many men walk around with chronic pelvic floor tightness without realizing it. It could be due to stress, a busy schedule, the habit of “sucking in your stomach” for posture, or long hours sitting still. Paradoxically, when a muscle is constantly tense, it becomes weak and inefficient. It loses its natural elasticity and ability to work dynamically.

An overstretched muscle cannot effectively close off the urethra, nor can it relax enough to allow water to pass freely. This creates a vicious cycle of pressure on the bladder and nerves. The symptoms are similar to what women experience with **postpartum incontinence**, but the mechanism is completely different – and therefore requires a completely different treatment approach than just “squats”.

After effects of surgeries

For some men, the problem occurs after surgical procedures, typically in the prostate. Here the sphincter has been directly affected. Even here, there is hope for significant improvement through rehabilitation of the nerve pathways and tissue, but it requires a specialized and targeted approach.

The link between incontinence, erection and pain

It’s rare that I see a man who *only* has trouble retaining water. The body is inextricably linked. The same nerves (including the pudendal nerve) and blood vessels that control your bladder and pelvic floor are responsible for your erection.

If the pelvic floor is dysfunctional – whether it’s too loose or, most commonly in men, too tight – it affects blood flow to the penis. This means that incontinence often goes hand in hand with erectile dysfunction. Many men worry that they have permanently lost the ability to have sex, but in reality it’s often a ‘mechanical’ problem in the pelvis that needs to be addressed.

When you read general advice on **postpartum incontinence**, you’ll always come across squats. But for men with an overstretched pelvic floor, aggressive squats can actually make matters worse. If your muscles are already in spasm, don’t train them harder – teach them to relax. This is where my professional expertise and diagnostics are crucial to your progress.

Diagnostics at MS Insight: I start by looking inside the body

To treat you correctly, I never guess. In my clinic, I always start with a thorough conversation and an advanced ultrasound scan.

The ultrasound scan is my main tool to visualize your pelvic floor, bladder and blood flow in the area. I can see if you are emptying your bladder properly and how the muscles react when you try to activate or relax them. This gives us a concrete picture of whether the problem is due to tissue damage, nerve impingement or muscular tension. Seeing on the screen what’s actually going on gives you peace of mind, so we shift the focus from worry to fact.

Advanced treatment: Shockwave and Neuromodulation

Once I’ve identified the cause, I put together a program tailored to your specific situation. I draw on technologies that go far beyond standard pelvic floor training.

Focused sound waves (Shockwave)

I use focused sound waves to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels and nerves in the tissue. The sound waves go deep into the pelvic floor and ‘wake up’ cells that have been inactive or damaged. If you have a tight pelvic floor, the sound waves can help release the tension and trigger points that prevent the muscle from working normally. It’s an effective way to restore natural function without drugs or surgery.

EMTT and Neuromodulation

As a supplement, I often use EMTT (Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy). This is a technology that uses powerful magnetic fields to stimulate cell renewal and reduce inflammation throughout the pelvic area.

In cases where the incontinence is due to the nerves not “talking” properly with the muscles, I work with neuromodulation. This helps to “reboot” normal nerve function so that you can feel exactly when you need to go to the toilet again and, more importantly, can hold it until you get there.

What can you do yourself in everyday life?

While treatment in the clinic lays the foundation for your recovery, your own efforts in everyday life are also important. While the standard advice on **postpartum incontinence** for women is often “squeeze, squeeze, squeeze”, my advice for you as a man is often different:

Learn to relax:We often have to work with deep breathing all the way down into the abdomen to get the pelvic floor to release its chronic grip.
Fluid intake: Many men either drink too little (which concentrates urine and irritates the bladder) or too much coffee/alcohol, which has a diuretic effect. I will guide you to an optimal fluid balance.
Physical activity: General exercise is good, but avoid heavy lifting or heavy cycling if it provokes your symptoms until we get your pelvic floor under control.

I always guide you on which specific exercises are suitable for your particular diagnosis, so you don’t risk doing harm instead of good.

The psychological aspect: Taking back control

Losing control of your bladder is a big deal for any man. It touches our self-image and masculinity. I meet many who isolate themselves socially for fear of accidents or odors. At MS Insight, there is no taboo. I’ve heard it all before and I know how much it’s on your mind.

My approach is caring but direct. We don’t sugarcoat things, we solve them. When you regain control of your pelvic floor, your confidence returns – at work, at play and in the bedroom.

FAQ – Typical questions about male incontinence

Is it normal to drip after using the toilet?
It’s unfortunately very common, but it’s not “normal” in the sense that you should just accept it. It’s called postvoid dribble and is often caused by the muscle that empties the urethra being weak or tense. Fortunately, it can be treated effectively.

Can you use the same exercises as for postpartum incontinence?
Not necessarily. Women’s incontinence after childbirth is often due to stretched and weakened tissue. Men’s problems are more often caused by tension (hypertonia). If you do squat exercises on an already tense muscle, you can exacerbate pain and symptoms. Always get the cause checked first.

Should I talk to my doctor?
If you experience sudden incontinence, blood in the urine or pain, you should always consult your own doctor to rule out infections or other diseases. I can guide you on what questions or tests it might be relevant to discuss with your doctor if we find it necessary.

Does shockwave help with incontinence?
Yes, focused sound waves are a very effective treatment, especially when incontinence is associated with CPPS (pain), erectile dysfunction or the aftermath of surgery, as it stimulates healing of tissue, blood vessels and nerves.

Contact me and get an assessment

You don’t have to live with the fear of leaking or wearing a pad in your underwear for the rest of your life. While you won’t find many articles aimed at men when you search for pelvic floor problems, you’ll find the right help here.

I specialize in the male genital area and I’m ready to help you with a professional assessment and an effective treatment plan based on your body.

If you are interested in hearing more about how I can help you, you are always welcome to contact me by phone 41 40 08 58 or email michael@msinsight.dk. I’ll get back to you quickly with a customized proposal so we can find the best way forward together.