What is male stress urinary incontinence (SUI)?

Male stress urinary incontinence is leakage of urine during actions that put pressure on the bladder — sneezing, coughing, laughing, lifting or exercise. It has nothing to do with psychological stress. It is caused by weakening or damage of the urinary sphincter, the muscle that controls the release of urine.

About 1 in 10 American men have urinary incontinence, and rates rise with age. Even light leakage can be emotionally and physically challenging — and it is treatable.

What causes it?

Prostate cancer treatment. Prostate cancer itself does not cause SUI, but treating it can. Radical prostatectomy, radiation (external beam or brachytherapy), or a combination of therapies can damage the external sphincter. Roughly 1 in 10 men still have persistent leakage one year after prostatectomy; symptoms range from a few drops to a complete loss of control.
Pelvic trauma. Car accidents, falls and straddle injuries can damage the urethra and sphincter. Some injuries need immediate or delayed urinary reconstruction, and some men are left with lasting bladder-control problems. Pelvic trauma can also injure the nerves that run alongside the urethra and cause erectile dysfunction, which Dr. Uhr treats as well.
Other pelvic surgery and, less often, neurologic conditions.

Treatment options

Lifestyle changes and pelvic-floor therapy. Limiting fluids, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and exercising the pelvic-floor muscles help many men with mild leakage, especially in the first year after surgery.
Absorbent products and devices. Pads or absorbent underwear, a urine-collection bag, or a penile clamp can prevent accidents, but each needs constant attention — changing pads, emptying bags.
Long-term implant treatments. For men whose leakage persists, two fully concealed implants restore control:

AMS 800™ Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS)

The AMS 800™ consists of a control pump implanted in the scrotum, an inflatable cuff placed around the urethra, and a fluid-filled balloon placed in a natural open space next to the bladder. The cuff stays gently closed around the urethra to hold urine in. When you need to urinate, you squeeze and release the pump several times to move fluid from the cuff to the balloon; urine flows, and the cuff automatically refills within a few minutes. The AUS is the standard treatment for moderate to severe leakage. In long-term studies 60% to 96% of patients use one pad or none per day, and in a survey of 1,082 men, 94% would recommend the surgery to a friend or family member.

AdVance™ XP Male Sling System

A male sling is a soft mesh implant placed beneath the urethra that repositions it and supports the surrounding muscles, helping the urethra stay closed during coughing, sneezing or lifting. It has no moving parts and nothing to operate, and suits men with mild to moderate incontinence. Cure-or-improvement rates range from 63% to 83% at five years, and many men are dry immediately after the procedure.

Hear from patients: the DRY series

DRY: The Journey to Treat Male Incontinence follows men who leaked after prostate cancer treatment and got their lives back with an artificial urinary sphincter or sling. Watch the episodes and patient FAQs in the Videos section below under DRY series.

Frequently asked questions

How long do the procedures take? The AMS 800™ and AdVance™ XP procedures usually take 1–2 hours and are generally performed as outpatient surgery — you go home the same day or early the next morning.
Will anyone know I have an implant? No. Both devices are fully concealed inside the body.
How long is recovery? With a sling, most men resume normal activities within one to two weeks. With an artificial sphincter, the device is left deactivated while you heal; at the four- to six-week visit Dr. Uhr activates it and teaches you how to use it.
Will I be dry? Results vary with the severity of leakage and prior radiation. Dr. Uhr will review realistic expectations for your situation before surgery.

Patient resources

FixIncontinence.com — treatment options and the DRY patient docuseries (sponsored by Boston Scientific)
AMS 800™ Artificial Urinary Sphincter — patient information
AdVance™ XP Male Sling — patient information
Fix Your Incontinence — patient education brochure (PDF)
Life after Prostate Cancer — brochure (PDF)
Speak with a real patient treated for incontinence: call +1 (844) 433-2873 or email MHPatientEducation@bsci.com.

Important safety information — AMS 800™ Artificial Urinary Sphincter. Your doctor is your best source for information on the risks and benefits of the AMS 800™. It is intended for use in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence (intrinsic sphincter deficiency) following prostate surgery. Men with diabetes, spinal cord injuries or skin infections may have an increased risk of infection. Some AMS 800 devices contain an antibiotic (InhibiZone™ Antibiotic Surface Treatment) and may not be suited for patients allergic to rifampin, minocycline or other tetracyclines, or who have systemic lupus. Potential risks may include: device malfunction/failure leading to additional surgery, wearing away/loss of tissue (device/tissue erosion), inability to urinate (urinary retention), infection, and pain/soreness. Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. (MH-545611-AB)

AdVance™ XP Male Sling System. Intended for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Potential risks may include inability to urinate (urinary retention), return to incontinence, infection, erosion, device migration, pelvic organ dysfunction, bleeding, and pain. Contraindicated for patients with urinary tract infections, blood coagulation disorders, a compromised immune system or any other condition that would compromise healing, renal insufficiency, and upper urinary tract relative obstruction. (MH-557011-AB)

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Stress incontinence; Linder BJ et al., Urology 2015 (1,082 AUS cases); Suh YS et al., Neurourol Urodyn 2017; Deruyver Y et al., World J Urol 2022; Mumm JN et al., Urol Int 2021; Rizvi IG et al., Scand J Urol 2021; Herschorn S et al., Neurourol Urodyn 2010; Kotkin L & Koch MO, J Urol 1996. Patient-education content adapted from Boston Scientific web-ready materials (2025).