Urinary incontinence occurs when you can't control the passing of urine. While it is not a life-threatening condition, it has an enormous effect on an individual's life. The effects of incontinence include severe embarrassment, restriction in daily activities and social life, and limiting the ability to work and travel.
Dr Louw-Waldi Vlok specialises in assessing and managing male urinary incontinence using a multidisciplinary approach.
Treatment options range from physiotherapy and bladder retraining techniques, medication, and minimally invasive surgery to more extensive surgery. All Dr Vlok's treatments are individualised and depend on the type and severity of incontinence.
The most essential component of the urinary continence mechanism is the body's urethral sphincter, a muscle surrounding the urethra just below the prostate.
The most common cause of male urinary incontinence is radical prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer. Although utmost care is taken to prevent injury to the prostate during radical prostatectomy, weakening of the sphincter does occur in some patients, leading to ongoing incontinence.
For cases like this or for other reasons that result in ongoing incontinence, the placement of an artificial urinary sphincter is an excellent solution. This surgical procedure involves creating one to two incisions so the device can be implanted.
An artificial urinary sphincter has 3 main components:
During resting mode, the cuff around the urethra is full of water and compresses it. When the bladder is full, you will go to the bathroom and squeeze the pump, opening the cuff and allowing urine to drain out. The cuff will automatically refill after a few minutes, closing off the urethra.
To discuss male incontinence and its treatment, make an appointment with Dr Louw-Waldi Vlok.
Monday - Friday
Saturday & Sunday
8am - 5pm
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