Urinary incontinence may result from aging or surgery and may occur at any time of the day or in connection with an effort (such as lift a weight or even sneezing or coughing), or in the sexual sphere, during foreplay or at the orgasm (climacturia).
With increasing age, the prevalence of urinary incontinence rises for both sexes (1,2).
The number of people affected by Urinary incontinence that report social and psychological problems and sexual dysfunction is significantly greater than that of the general population (3-5). Existing research clearly demonstrates that individuals suffering from Urinary incontinence are vulnerable to sexual problems, especially since the topic is highly emotional and characterized by feelings of shame (6-8).

Studies found that about half of the people who were affected by climacturia, considered it a problem. For half of these, the condition was able to cause the avoidance of every sexual contact with the partner (9,10) and this may lead to an higher relational dissatisfaction than that generated by incontinence.

Sexual attractiveness and activity are fundamental to each individual, and Urinary incontinence can negatively impact this fundamental component of intimate relationships (11-13). Men reports that Urinary incontinence led to changes in their sex life and relationships, and some reported that part of their male or female identity had been lost because of restrictions in sexual activities imposed by urine loss.
Often men with urinary incontinence do not ask for help because they are ashamed and believe that there are no valid solutions. That is why they seek self-help solutions or hope that the problem will be solved by itself.

Fortunately, today there are many effective solutions, which vary according to the type and severity of the incontinence and it is important that men know that there is nothing to be ashamed of and that the real problem is to postpone the request for help.

Marco Silvaggi
Psychologist - ECPS
Institute of Clinical Sexology