Behavior Modification Therapy for Male Urinary Dysfunction

In men with stress or urgency incontinence, behavior modification therapy may reduce leakage and also reduce the urge to urinate. Your NYU Langone urologist may refer you to a program at Rusk Rehabilitation to learn techniques for lessening the urge to urinate, as well as exercises for preventing or reducing the symptoms of incontinence.

Your rehabilitation specialist may help you learn to urinate at preset intervals, typically every two to three hours. Your Rusk Rehabilitation therapist may also teach you breathing and relaxation techniques to help lessen the urge to urinate between scheduled urination times, which can be particularly useful if you have urgency incontinence.

Specialists may also counsel you on lifestyle changes that can alleviate symptoms. Such changes may include reducing the amount of fluids you drink, while avoiding dehydration; not drinking alcohol, coffee, soda, and tea, which can aggravate the symptoms of incontinence; and not drinking anything immediately before bedtime.

Pelvic floor exercises can help you strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and urethra, thereby helping to prevent or reduce the symptoms of incontinence. Your NYU Langone doctor can show you how to perform these exercises, which involve tightening and releasing the muscles you use during urination.