Frequently Asked Questions

Every time you eat or drink, your body absorbs liquids. It’s the job of your kidneys to filter waste products from these fluids and make urine. A continuous trickle passes from the kidneys to the bladder, which slowly expands. When the bladder is full a signal goes to the brain indicating the need to use the toilet. Once the toilet is reached the brain then tells the large bladder muscle to squeeze and contract. At the same time it tells the support muscles (or pelvic floor muscles) that surround the urethra (the outlet from the bladder) to relax and let the urine pass.

Usually between four and eight times a day.

Because bladder weakness is not something you tend to discuss with your friends, it often seems rarer than it is. In fact, it is really quite common with 1 in 10 men experiencing bladder weakness. In particular, there is a high incidence of bladder weakness amongst men who have an enlarged prostate or who have had prostate surgery but there are also other causes, which you can check out in the Types of bladder weakness section.

Many men have difficulty urinating for a variety of reasons, regardless of age. Sometimes those who’ve had prostate surgery experience weak bladders for a limited period (around a year). Heavy smokers, can also be susceptible, mainly because they cough more frequently than non-smokers. Even young boys with penile inflammation can be affected. Other aggravating factors include alcohol, coffee or tea, but it largely depends on the individual. So, as you can see age is definitely not the only cause of bladder weakness.

Exercises for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and bladder retraining methods are explained in the Exercise Area. These exercises, in conjunction with TENA for Men protection, will help you continue living your normal everyday life with confidence.

This is not ideal because taking in less fluid will make your urine more concentrated and subsequently irritate your bladder, causing you to urinate more often. However, drinking excessive amounts can lead to distension of the bladder. The best advice we can give is simply to drink whenever you feel thirsty and allow your body to regulate your liquid requirements. In the meantime, to help you manage the situation use Tena for Men protection and continue doing pelvic floor excercises and bladder retraining methods, in order to improve your condition.

If you want further advice, please call the TENA customer service line on:

Australia: 1800 623 347
New Zealand: 0800 836 200

You can also contact The Continence Foundation of Australia help line on:

Australia: 1800 330 066
New Zealand: 0800 650 659

It is always a good idea to let your doctor know if you are experiencing bladder problems. 

TENA for Men is available in many leading pharmacies and supermarkets across Australia and New Zealand. If your local pharmacy does not stock a particular TENA product, you can simply ask them to order it in for you. For a list of retailers that carry TENA, go to our Where to Buy section.

Our website deals with the most prevalent forms of male bladder weakness but everyone is unique and it can be difficult in pinpointing symptoms of your condition. We advise that you speak with your doctor about any bladder weakness symptoms you are experiencing for an accurate diagnosis. Any medication you are taking or a past surgical procedure may also contribute to urine leakage, in which your doctor would be aware of and can advise the best method of managing your condition.

You will find our range of products as well as product information in the Product Pavillion.