Medical Tests Used to Diagnose Incontinence in Men

Talking about bladder leaks can feel uncomfortable. Let’s face it, nobody really wants to discuss urinary problems, and this means there’s a stigma around it that only adds to the discomfort.

The good news is that diagnosing male incontinence is usually straightforward, and most tests are minimally invasive.^1,2 Remember, healthcare professionals are trained to guide you through each step with ease.

Let’s explore common bladder tests for men and why seeing your doctor early could make a real difference.

Why Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis Matters

Living with or managing incontinence could feel overwhelming, but a diagnosis matters more than you may think. A doctor’s evaluation could help you:

• Know your type of incontinence, whether stress, urge, overflow, or functional²
• Rule out infections and obstructions, including prostate issues²
• Get a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs²
• Improve treatment outcomes and quality of life^2,3

When Should You See a Doctor for Incontinence

If your incontinence symptoms like those mentioned below become worse or you notice sudden changes in your bladder control, it’s a good idea to see your doctor:⁴

• Urinary frequency – how often you need to pee²
• Urinary urgency – a sudden and urgent need to pee²
• Leaks during activities like sneezing or coughing²
• Nocturia – AKA getting up at night to pee²
• Dribbling – some dribbles after peeing³

Seeing your doctor early could help identify underlying conditions, like an obstruction in your urinary system, which could cause a weak stream.^{4, 5}

What to Expect during Your Doctor’s Appointment

At your doctor’s office, your male urinary tract evaluation usually begins with a routine medical conversation.² Your doctor may ask a set of questions about your medical history and lifestyle like:

• Past surgeries²
• Medical conditions²
• Substance use, such as alcohol and caffeine²
• Lifestyle factors, like smoking¹

These questions help your doctor understand:²

• The type of symptoms you have
• How long they’ve been going on
• If there’s any underlying condition
• Your treatment preferences

After this conversation, your doctor will give you a medical exam for bladder leakage based on your answers.² They may also perform simple tests, like coughing to see if pee leaks, which helps for stress incontinence testing.²

Your doctor might also ask you to keep a bladder diary for a few days to track how often and how much you pee.² Bladder diary tracking could help identify conditions like an overactive bladder.²

Common Medical Tests Used to Diagnose Incontinence in Men

After your physical examination, your doctor may suggest a few tests to help identify what’s causing your incontinence.² These tests are often minimally invasive, and any discomfort is usually brief.²

It’s normal to feel hesitant about urology tests for men, but healthcare professionals are trained to protect your dignity and comfort throughout the process.²

Let’s look at some common tests your doctor may suggest when diagnosing bladder control problems.

Urinalysis

Urinalysis for bladder leakage is a simple routine test.^1,2 All it involves is giving a small urine sample, which your health team checks for infection, blood, glucose, or protein.² Your doctor might also order a urine culture if they suspect an infection is the cause of your leaks.²

Urodynamic Testing

Urodynamic testing is a group of tests used to show how your bladder holds and empties urine,⁶ and they are:

• A cystometric test, measuring:⁶
• How much urine your bladder can hold
• How much pressure build up in your bladder when it stores urine
• How full your bladder is when the need to pee kicks in
• If your bladder is contracting as it should
• If there are any bladder obstructions
• Uroflowmetry to test whether your bladder muscles are weak⁶
• You have stress incontinence or an overactive bladder³

Post-Void Residual (Bladder Scan)

As part of urodynamic tests, your doctor might order a post-void residual (PVR), AKA bladder scan, to see how well your bladder empties.² It works by measuring how much urine is left in your bladder after you pee.²

A post-void residual scan could help confirm if one of these conditions is responsible for your bladder leaks:²

• Urine retention
• An overactive bladder
• Urge incontinence
• Overflow incontinence

Prostate Examination

Sometimes prostate conditions, like an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, could cause bladder leaks.⁷ That’s why your doctor may perform a digital rectal exam during a pelvic floor assessment for men to check for tenderness, enlargement, or nodules.^{1, 8}

If they find any changes, they may also order a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.⁹

If you need surgery, it is good to know that some men notice bladder leaks post-op.² It’s normal to feel concerned, but our guide on incontinence after prostate surgery offers practical tips to help you feel more in control and comfortable.

What Happens After Diagnosis?

After your doctor confirms your diagnosis, they’ll walk you through treatment options to help you regain control of your bladder. It could include:

• Incontinence products: Everyday protective products can help you stay dry and confident. TENA Men’s Incontinence Guards are designed to fit the male anatomy comfortably and discreetly.
• Pelvic floor exercises: It could strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and help control leaks.⁷
• Medications: When your doctor prescribes them, certain medications could relax the bladder muscle and reduce symptoms.⁷
• Lifestyle changes: Limiting bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol may help reduce leaks.²
• Surgery: In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery, to help with incontinence or issues causing it.²

Breaking the Stigma Around Male Incontinence

Incontinence could feel isolating, but it can affect anyone, especially men over the age of 45.¹⁰ It’s common (1 in 3 men over 40 experience drips and dribbles), and the risk increases with age, prostate surgery, and an enlarged prostate.²

Seeing a doctor early on means you’re being proactive about your health. With a diagnosis, you can feel confident you’re on the right track.

FAQs

What Tests Are Done for Male Incontinence?

For male incontinence, you could expect your doctor to order one or more of the following tests to confirm your diagnosis.

• Urinalysis: Checks for any abnormalities in your pee²
• Post-void residual test: Checks how well your bladder empties pee²
• Urodynamic studies for men: Measures how well your bladder holds and empties pee⁶
• Prostate examination: Looks for any abnormalities.⁸

Do I Need to See a Urologist for Incontinence?

When your incontinence symptoms are ongoing or bothersome, your general physician may refer you to a urologist.¹¹ They specialize in male urinary and reproductive issues and could help take a closer look to help find the cause.¹¹

Is a Bladder Scan Painful?

The equipment may seem intimidating, but bladder ultrasound for men is painless and non-invasive.¹²

Can Prostate Problems Cause Incontinence?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) makes the prostate larger than usual.13 Its location means it can press on your bladder and urethra, which may lead to bladder leaks.¹³

How Long Does Incontinence Testing Take?

How long testing takes depends on what your doctor orders. For example, keeping a bladder diary may take 1 to 3 days, while a prostate exam could take less.²

Can Incontinence Be Diagnosed Without Invasive Tests?

Yes. Your doctor could diagnose incontinence based on your symptoms and simple, minimally invasive tests like a urinalysis.²

References

1. O’Connor E, Nic an Riogh A, Karavitakis M, Monagas S, Nambiar A. Diagnosis and Non-Surgical Management of Urinary Incontinence – A Literature Review with Recommendations for Practice. International Journal of General Medicine. 2021 Aug; Volume 14(1):4555–65.

2. Leslie SW, Tran LN, Puckett Y. Urinary Incontinence [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK559095/

3. Jain S, Malhotra D, Gowda C, Mehra M. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Management. Indian Obstetrics & Gynaecology; 2024 Sep.

4. NIH. Symptoms & Causes of Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2019. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-control-problems/symptoms-causes

5. Carolyn. Modern Urology [Internet]. Modern Urology, Colorado. 2025 [cited 2026 Feb 15]. Available from: https://modernurology.com/when-should-i-see-a-doctor-for-urinary-leakage/

6. Urodynamic Testing | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2019. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/urodynamic-testing

7. Shenot PJ. Urinary Incontinence in Adults [Internet]. MSD Manual Consumer Version. MSD Manuals; 2023 [cited 2026 Feb 15]. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/disorders-of-urination/urinary-incontinence-in-adults#Evaluation_v763037

8. Sandip P Vasavada. Urinary Incontinence Clinical Presentation: History, Physical Examination, Cotton Swab Test [Internet]. emedicine.medscape.com. 2023. Available from: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/452289-clinical

9. Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2024. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostate-problems/enlarged-prostate-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia

10. Quentin Clemens J. Urinary incontinence in males [Internet]. UptoDate. 2025. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/urinary-incontinence-in-males#H9860203

11. Barnes E. Do You See a Urologist for Incontinence? [Internet]. Icgi.org. 2026 [cited 2026 Feb 15]. Available from: https://www.icgi.org/do-you-see-a-urologist-for-incontinence/

12. Myhre J, Sifris D,. What to Expect from a Bladder Ultrasound [Internet]. VeryWell Health. 2025. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/bladder-ultrasound-8712643

13. Whalen R. The Connection Between Prostate Health and Bladder Function [Internet]. urologyconferences.com. 2025. Available from: https://urologyconferences.com/the-connection-between-prostate-health-and-bladder-function/