Pee spots between the legs, inability to hold back during meetings… How to remedy the surprisingly common “male urine leakage” without anyone noticing?

30% of men over 30 years old have experienced a “little leakage”…

When I realized I had a pee stain on my pants, I was so close to the bathroom that I couldn’t hold it in, and I leaked a little. …… Some middle-aged men are troubled by “urine leakage. Although it may seem a little early to be having “shin troubles,” some men in their 40s and older are gradually showing these symptoms.

The most common problem among middle-aged and older men is a “little leakage” after using the restroom. This is called post-purination dripping, in which urine remaining in the urethra comes out later and soils pants and trousers.

This occurs when urine is not fully expelled and the person rushes to put it in his or her pants.

In addition, the prostate gland and urethra may deteriorate with age,” says Dr. Takuji Ohmine of the Ohne Clinic of Nephrology and Urology. As we age, the way we pee differs from when we were younger.

When you are young, your urine comes out in a jerky burst and stops quickly and sharply. This is normal urination. But when you are in your 40s or older, urination loses its vigor, is not quick enough, and finally falls out in fluttering drops.

The main cause is that the prostate gland surrounding the bladder outlet and urethra becomes enlarged with age, narrowing the urethra. It becomes harder to come out cleanly, and urine leaks out later.”

If it’s just in your pants, it’s still fine, but if the amount is too much, it stains your pants as well. Not only are they worried that people will not see it until it dries, but they are also concerned about the smell. Kao conducted a survey of 10,000 men between the ages of 30 and 69 regarding “small leaks,” and found that one in three had experienced urine stains after using the toilet.

In fact, “sitting on the toilet seat is also likely to lead to ‘a little leakage,'” says Dr. Omine.

Some men may sit down to urinate to prevent pee splattering. The male urethra is longer than the female urethra, and in a sitting position, the urethra bends and the momentum is reduced. When they think they have urinated their entire urethra, they may stand up and leak a little.

Some men in their 40s and 50s use urine leakage pads to get by. ……

There are other types of male leakage besides “small leakage. One of them is overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder is a condition in which the bladder reacts excessively to a slight accumulation of urine, causing an unbearable urge to urinate. It is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to go to the bathroom immediately after a small amount of urine accumulates. The person may not make it to the bathroom in time and may leak a small amount of urine.

Many people are shocked to find out that they have leaked urine, even though they thought that “urine leakage is something that happens to the elderly. Moreover, because it is a delicate problem, it is difficult for them to tell their wives, family members, and others around them.

Chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, which is common among people in their 40s and 50s, is another trigger for leakage.

Chronic swelling of the mucous membranes around the prostate and in the bladder can make it difficult to pass urine, leading to leakage. Prostate inflammation is more likely to occur when the prostate area is compressed by drinking too much alcohol or sitting at a desk or driving for long periods of time.

Even if you have this kind of pee problem, it is difficult to see a urologist. What triggers many middle-aged men suffering from urinary leakage to see a urologist?

Many middle-aged men who suffer from urinary leakage go to see a urologist because they “started having to go to the bathroom more and more often, but until now, they were just in time. People in their 40s and 50s who have had this experience think, ‘This is not good,’ and come to see us.

Other cases include those who cannot tolerate even a one-hour train ride and have to get off the train to go to the restroom, and those who cannot sleep well because they urinate more frequently at night. Although fewer in number than the elderly, there are men in their 40s and 50s who use urine leakage pads to get by.

Sedentary behavior is a prelude to urinary leakage!　Lower body training” is effective!

To prevent any type of leakage, it is effective to train the ” pelvic floor muscles,” which support the bladder and rectum from below.

The pelvic floor muscles support the organs from below in the shape of a hammock. To strengthen them, make it a habit to do lower body muscle training such as squats that stimulate the thighs and buttocks area.

It is also effective to reduce sitting time and improve blood flow to the prostate and bladder area through walking and other activities. With an exercise routine, these urinary problems will gradually decrease.”

Although symptoms may improve with self-care, when the condition reaches a stage where it interferes with daily life, such as “I am constantly worried about leaking,” “I feel like I am going to leak during meetings or while traveling,” or “I am afraid of not being able to go to the bathroom,” it is the right time to consult a doctor.

In addition to a medical interview and urinalysis, the urologist will examine the prostate and bladder area using ultrasound (echo). Depending on the cause, medication may be prescribed to correct the symptoms.

A man in his 40s who came to the clinic suffering from urinary leakage due to overactive bladder was prescribed medication to improve bladder function, which enabled him to hold his own urine and his symptoms improved. He is now able to lead his daily life without medication.

If the leakage gets worse, it takes time to get better, but if the patient is treated by a urologist as soon as possible, the symptoms can be corrected with medication and lifestyle guidance, and the patient can return to a normal, comfortable life.

If you have experienced urinary leakage, you suddenly feel anxious about going away or moving around, and you can no longer enjoy everything in a positive way.

In addition to urine leakage, if you feel that your pee is different from usual, such as close to the toilet, a feeling of residual urine, or a strange smell, there is a possibility that there is a hidden problem. Taking a look at one’s “pee” should be a good way for middle-aged people to manage their health condition.

Takuji Ohne is the director of the Ohne Clinic of Nephrology and Urology. Doctor of Medicine. He is a board-certified urologist and supervisor of the Japanese Urological Association and a board-certified physician of the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine. He treats male urological diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, male menopause, and ED, female urological diseases such as urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, as well as lifestyle-related diseases and dermatological diseases. He is close to local residents and supports them in their efforts to improve their health.