SUI is the accidental leakage of urine caused by sudden pressure on the bladder. These leaks can happen when you laugh, cough, sneeze, or work out.
Male SUI often occurs after prostate surgery.
Treatment may include physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery.
To make an appointment with the Department of Urology, please contact a location near you.
SUI is one type of urinary incontinence. It happens when your pelvic floor — the muscles that support the urinary tract — weakens.
A sudden movement — jumping, bending over, coughing — can cause accidental urine leaks.
The leaks can range from a dribble of pee to a full stream that soaks your clothes.
SUI is not a normal part of aging, as some may think.
Prostate surgery is a common cause of SUI in men. Doctors often remove part or all of the prostate to treat prostate cancer or a benign enlarged prostate.
Pressure from the prostate helps hold urine in the bladder. When doctors remove all or part of the prostate, the surrounding muscles may not have enough strength to control urine flow.
Other causes of SUI include:
Being obese or having a chronic cough can also put pressure on the pelvic floor, making SUI more likely.
Risk factors for SUI in men include:
Complications from SUI include:
The costs of absorbent pads and adult diapers can also be a burden.
Our urologic doctors and surgeons are:
The main symptom of SUI is leaking urine when you:
Your doctor will ask you about your history and do a physical exam that may include checking your:
Your doctor may ask you to cough, step, or squeeze your pelvic muscles to see if you leak urine. They may also ask for a urine sample.
To see how your bladder works, your doctor may order:
The UPMC Department of Urology provides expert care for SUI in men.
Non-medical treatments for SUI include:
Your doctor may suggest one of the following external devices that don't require surgery:
UPMC's doctors perform the following procedures for SUI:
