Despite the problems incontinence causes men in their personal lives, emotional health and ability to travel, men avoid discussing it with their physicians, according to a
study by the University of Louisville and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Louisville, Ky. Less than a third of the men surveyed discussed this problem with their physicians
even though 75% of them expressed an interest in evaluation and treatment.
Men tend to be less open about discussing with doctors the health issues that affect them.
This survey underscores the need for physicians to be more proactive in screening and counseling men on incontinence, which affects 13 million adults in the U.S.
HPRMN's cover story on men's health offers additional information on this topic.
The study found that 32% of the 840 male patients surveyed experienced incontinence.
Among men under 40 years old, the condition was reported by 25%, and at least 20% of all age groups had some degree of incontinence.
The study suggests that men would benefit from educational seminars, brochures and targeted communication on incontinence symptoms. It is published in the April 4 issue of the
Annals of Internal Medicine.
(University of Louisville, Denise Fitzpatrick, 502/852-6171)