Life after prostate surgery can bring relief and hope, but it also brings its own set of challenges. One challenge, urinary incontinence, could affect many men post-surgery, impacting their daily routines and confidence.
Whether you're navigating this yourself or supporting a loved one, understanding the causes, symptoms, and practical management of urinary incontinence can significantly help recovery and quality of life.
Let’s look at the journey through post-prostate surgery incontinence, to empower you with the knowledge to thrive beyond surgery.
Understanding Incontinence After Prostate Surgery
So, you're facing prostate surgery or perhaps supporting someone who is. It's a significant step toward managing your health, but it can also bring unexpected challenges—like dealing with urinary incontinence.1
Prostate surgery, known as a prostatectomy, involves removing the prostate gland, often necessary for conditions like prostate cancer.1
After prostate surgery, incontinence, which is when you can’t control urination, can be a common side effect if nerves and muscles around the bladder is damaged during surgery.1
But here's the good news: managing post-prostate surgery incontinence is possible. There are practical steps and strategies that can really help you to take back control. By knowing what causes urinary incontinence, its symptoms and how to effectively manage it, you can get back to focusing on what matters most.
Prevalence of Incontinence After Prostate Surgery
You might be wondering just how common incontinence is after prostate surgery. Well, you’re not alone. Incontinence is one of the most common urinary issues men face after surgery, affecting around 10-15% of men.2
And let’s not forget, after prostate surgery, 30-50% of men who started with normal urinary function might notice some incontinence.2
Dealing with dribbles and leaks can be frustrating, but you’re not alone, and there’s good news. Whether it’s a temporary issue or a more chronic condition, there are easy and effective solutions available to help you manage and feel more comfortable.>/p>
Causes of Incontinence Following Prostate Surgery
Before delving into the reasons and management for incontinence after surgery, let's discuss a bit of anatomy.
When urine flows into your bladder, it's held in place by two valves (sphincters) that stay closed until your body gives the green light to open them when you need to pee. These are the internal and external valves.1
If you have prostate surgery, the internal valve is be removed along with the prostate as part of the surgery.1 But don’t worry, the external valve—that helps you control the start or stop the flow of urine—should still work.1
Usually, having just the external valve is enough to keep the flow of pee under control. But this depends on how well your pelvic floor muscles and nerves are working.1 If your muscles and nerves are not working as they should, you may experience some urinary incontinence after surgery.
Managing Urinary Incontinence After Prostate Surgery
Managing urinary incontinence after prostate surgery is absolutely doable. Here are a few tips to help you:
Home Solutions for Post-Surgery Incontinence
You don’t necessarily need to leave your home to help you manage post-surgery incontinence:
- Guards and Shields can help you feel more confident and worry-free, allowing you to continue your daily activities without fear of leaks. They are discreet and can be a real game-changer in managing incontinence. TENA has a range of products for men that are designed for comfort and confidence.
- Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels) are exercises that can help strengthen the muscles that control urination and are often the first line of treatment after prostate surgery.1
- Change your Diet: Consider avoiding alcohol, coffee, or carbonated beverages that will irritate your bladder, and choose for less irritating liquids like milk, water, or herbal teas.3
- You should stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids but try to spread them out during the day. You should also avoid drinking large amounts at once and cut back on them a few hours before bedtime to have fewer nighttime trips to the bathroom.3
- Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce pressure on your bladder.4 Regular exercise, quitting smoking, and avoiding heavy lifting can also help with long-term management.4
Strengthening Your Bladder After Prostate Surgery
Strengthening your bladder control involves a combination of exercises and techniques:
Pelvic Floor Exercises: As mentioned earlier, Kegels are key.3 Make them a regular part of your routine and do them while watching TV, driving, or even when you’re sitting at your desk.
Bladder Training Techniques: Gradually increase the time between your bathroom visits to reduce urgency.3 Start by going every hour, then slowly increase the interval by 15 minutes each week until you get to 3 hours between bathroom breaks.3
To make these practices a habit, set reminders on your phone or incorporate them into activities you already do. Consistency is key to seeing improvement in your urinary incontinence.
Remember, while you are training your bladder, accidents may happen, and you can still use absorbent guards or shields.
Medications for Incontinence After Prostate Surgery
Sometimes even the most determined among us need a little extra help. There are some medications available that can help to relaxing the bladder by blocking nerve signals, and they are used in conjunction with other strategies, such as bladder training.3
If you need extra help, talk to your doctor about any other therapies, strategies or medications you can try. They can help determine the right treatment based on your specific situation.
Navigating Male Incontinence After Prostate Surgery: Key Takeaways and Next Steps
While incontinence can be frustrating, know you’re not alone. It's important to stay positive and proactive because it’s something that can be effectively managed.
With time, patience, and the right approach, you can regain control and enhance your quality of life. Don’t hesitate to seek professional medical advice to find the best strategies for you. And for some extra protection while you’re on your journey to recovery, TENA has you covered with discreet, superior protection, engineered for a man’s body.
References
1. Cleveland Clinic. ‘Incontinence after prostate surgery’. 2024. Accessed 18 July 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/incontinence-after-prostate-surgery
2. John Hopkins Medicine. ‘Urinary dysfunction after prostate cancer treatment’. 2024. Accessed 18 July 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/urinary-dysfunction-after-prostate-cancer-treatment
3. Healthline. ‘What to Know About Overactive Bladder After Surgery’. 2024. Accessed 18 July 2024. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder/overactive-bladder-after-surgery
4. Healthline. ‘What Home Remedies Work for an Overactive Bladder?’ 2024. Accessed 25 July 2024. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder/home-remedies
