Numerous individuals over the age of 40 experience an ever growing problem regarding the weakening of the bladder and the sphincter muscle that controls the release of urine. This condition often relates to an increased urgency to urinate and/or the inability to control urination. Even though weak bladder control affects both genders, there are twice as many women who suffer from it as men.

The various problems associated with weak bladder control are:

Urinary frequency or nocturia (frequent night-time urination): Approximately 50% of the adult population (over age 60) experiences a frequency in night-time urination leading to disturbed sleep patterns. The percentage of individuals affected by nocturia continues to increase with age.

Urinary incontinence or involuntary loss of urine: according to recent research, 48% of women and 17% of men over age 70 suffer urinary incontinence.

Overactive bladder: is defined as having an urgent need to empty the bladder. This condition affects one in six adults over age 40 and leads to a frequent need to use the washroom, incontinence, stress and depression.

Men and women suffer from these urinary problems for different reasons. Women can suffer from a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and/or a weakening of the bladder sphincter (the muscle that controls urine flow). This is believed to be caused by a loss of testosterone, which is needed to keep these muscles from shrinking or growing weak.6

Men usually experience urinary problems due to various prostate disturbances (as in the swelling of the prostate) that occur with increased age.7 These disturbances are also strongly linked the amount of bioavailable testosterone and an increase in a problematic by-product of testosterone called DHT (Dihydrotestosterone).8