Your healthcare professional should be consulted prior to using a penile clamp for male urinary incontinence.
The penile clamp or cuff are devices that may be used to manage some urine leakage in some men. It may be used by men after prostate surgery who have some urine leakage. The clamp/cuff, which has a soft foam inside, is placed half way down the shaft and when in place and closed, it compresses the urethra so that urine cannot escape. The clamp is sometimes referred to as a Cunningham clamp. Modern cuffs devices protect circulation, which greatly increases its safety and comfort over a clamp device. Some newer clamp and cuff designs also include an absorbent product for extra security.
A penile clamp puts pressure on the urethra to keep urine from leaking from the bladder.
This type of device can be very convenient for short outings or special occasions. However, a clamp MUST be removed every 1-2 hours to allow for urination to occur. And this device should not be worn 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your healthcare professional should advice you on how long a clamp may be worn and how often. Not following instructions for use with a penile clamp may cause serious injury to the wearer.
Penile clamp products do have potential side effects. Some men may have swelling, strictures (scarring in the urethra), or develop skin breakdown. These side effects have not been demonstrated with properly applied penile cuffs, however.
If skin breakdown, swelling, or any side effects occurs while using any incontinence device, call your healthcare professional for immediate help.
For more general information on Male Urinary Incontinence, click here.