The month of June means many things: the beginning of summer, Men’s Health Month, and, of course, Father’s Day. Now is the ideal time to raise awareness with the man in your life who may be experiencing health issues, such as bladder control. With the increased focus on overall wellness this month, starting vital discussions can set the stage to prevent long-term health risks linked to bladder issues and make daily life easier with some adjustments.

Why Use Father’s Day as the Starting Point?

Many people joke about how Father’s Day doesn’t get the same shine as Mother’s Day. Instead of the flowers and chocolates mom may get, let your father, grandfather, and other men know how much you care and want to celebrate their life with an important discussion about their overall health. 

Father’s Day is a great opportunity to actually ask dad how he’s doing — and bladder health is one of those things men almost never bring up first.

How Can Families Start a Conversation?

Bladder control problems can be a sensitive topic that many people avoid as it may be a source of embarrassment for the person experiencing it. That’s why it’s important to show respect and empathy with your father or grandfather to preserve his dignity. 

In other words, don’t bring the topic up at the dinner table during your Father’s Day meal. Try to find a relaxed private moment, and it should be handled by someone he is most comfortable with; perhaps his spouse or close sibling. Take a few minutes during a relaxed private moment to bring up the topic and acknowledge how it’s a common issue among many men his age. 

Start by asking how he’s been feeling overall and try to frame the focus on how he can maintain his lifestyle without worrying about finding a bathroom. As Adam J. Greenberg, Founder & CEO, NorthShore Care Supply, suggests, “A five-minute conversation can be the thing that gets a man to finally see a doctor instead of just living with it.”

Ensure he understands that he’s in control of his independence, and you’re simply expressing care by letting him know about support for a leaky bladder to make his life more comfortable. Don’t forget to include how incontinence is treatable and manageable, along with a gentle reminder for a medical check-up to rule out underlying issues like a urinary tract infection or enlarged prostate.

Why Is This a Touchy Subject?

Fighting stigma against incontinence begins with these honest discussions about how common it is for various reasons. Urinating is a private bodily function, so people may fear that incontinence can begin the loss of independence. If an unexpected leak happens in public, such as at work or other social events, it can create anxiety and embarrassment for the person

What Other Steps Can Affected Men Take?

In addition to protecting yourself with absorbent products like adult diapers or guards, you can make other lifestyle changes, such as:

  • Fluid management – limit intake before bedtime
  • Dietary adjustments – limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine
  • Constipation management-  full bowels put pressure on the bladder

Kegels are pelvic floor exercises that can strengthen muscles that control your urinary flow. Start by squeezing the muscles used to start the flow of urine, holding them for a few seconds at a time. Functional training involves engaging these Kegel muscles before activities prone to cause leaks, such as sneezing or lifting something. 

There are also some medications for men who may have an enlarged prostate that can relax the bladder and prostate muscles to improve urinary flow.

Take Control of Urinary Problems

Accidental urine leakage or loss of bladder control happens to many men, but they can still maintain their quality of life by handling underlying issues causing it, as well as seeking a wearable solution for absorbing urine when they can’t make it to a bathroom on time. This Father’s Day, take a few minutes to let your dad or spouse know there’s no shame in this condition and help is available through exercises, medication, and products.