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, particularly amongst men who have an enlarged prostate or who have had prostate surgery but there are other causes too which you can check out in our cause 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 far from being the only factor.

Exercises and bladder retraining methods are explained in What you can do. These methods, in conjunction with TENA for Men protection, will help you continue your normal life with confidence

It’s tricky really because taking in less fluid will make your urine more concentrated, and 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 when you feel like it and allow your body to regulate your liquid requirements.

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

This site deals with the most prevalent forms of bladder weakness, but everyone is unique and it can be tricky to diagnose your condition. Therefore our best advice would be to speak to your doctor.

You will find products and product descriptions in the Product Pavilion.

We’ve always felt it important to offer safe, skin friendly products.  We achieve this by carefully selecting, assessing and approving all our raw materials. In fact it’s so important to us at TENA that we employ dedicated specialists with years of experience in skin health and toxicology. We can also draw on the added expertise of multi-national bodies such as the University of Gothenburg and University College London. We then work closely with our suppliers to ensure the highest standards of quality in all materials and merchandise. So you can trust that TENA products are safe to use, as well as of the highest quality. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.