Jul 31, 2024
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
The good news is that incontinence after prostate surgery is often temporary.3 Many men regain bladder control within the first few months, and 68–97% regain control within 12 months.3
Dealing with dribbles and leaks can be frustrating during this recovery period, 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.
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.
Is there a link between your prostate and urinary incontinence? Read on to find out.
Why Some Men Recover Faster
Recovery from incontinence post-prostate surgery can look different for everyone, but a few influential factors include:3
- Age
- Overall health
- Type of surgery
- Bladder control
Types of Incontinence You May Experience
Urinary incontinence after prostate surgery could show up in different ways.4 You might notice:4
- Stress incontinence: leaks when you cough, laugh, sneeze, or lift something heavy.4
- Urge incontinence or overactive bladder: a sudden, strong need to use the restroom, sometimes before you can get there.4
- Mixed incontinence: a combination of both stress and urge symptoms.4
Recovery Timeline: What to Expect
You could see improvement within 6–12 months after prostate surgery, but it's a gradual process.4 If you’re still experiencing urinary leakage after a year, talking with a specialist could help you find an option that works best for you.4
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 and caregivers 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
- Spread Hydration Out: 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
This technique could help reduce the urges that come with incontinence by gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits. Here’s how to get started:
- Start by going to the bathroom every hour.5
- Slowly increase the interval by 15 minutes each week as you feel ready, until you reach about 3 hours between visits.5
- Use reminders on your phone or link bathroom trips to activities you already do to build a habit.
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.
Talking to Your Doctor
During your doctor's visit, let them know about any concerns or symptoms you have. It’s okay to feel a little awkward talking about incontinence; remember, doctors hear this all the time and are there to help you feel better. A helpful tip is to write down any questions you want to ask so you don’t forget them during the appointment.
Need help feeling confident when bringing up the topic? Here are helpful tips to help you when talking about incontinence.
Coping With the Emotional Impact
Incontinence could bring a mix of emotions, and some days may feel harder than others. It's normal to feel this way, but having a support system of friends, family, or an online forum, could make even tough days easier.
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.
FAQs
What causes urinary incontinence after prostate surgery?
Incontinence could occur as a side effect of prostate surgery.7 The surgery could damage or swell your nerves and muscles, which affects how you pee.7
Don’t worry, most men recover from it over time.2,3 There are also ways to help you feel confident and in control while you recover.
How long does incontinence last after prostate surgery?
Incontinence usually lasts 6–12 months post-surgery, though it can sometimes continue longer.3 If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, talking with your doctor could help you find the best ways to manage them.
What are the best exercises for bladder control after prostate surgery?
Pelvic floor exercises are a great way to improve bladder control after prostate surgery.1 They strengthen your muscles and help you feel more in control when you pee.1 Best of all, they’re simple and you can do them anywhere; even while watching TV.
Can incontinence after surgery be permanent?
In a few cases, bladder issues like incontinence could be permanent.8 The good news is your doctors could still help you find ways to feel more confident and in control.8
What treatment options are available if symptoms don’t improve?
If your symptoms don’t improve, don’t worry, talking to your doctor could help. They might suggest a surgical procedure or medications to help you feel more in control.4,8
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. Gacci M, De Nunzio C, Sakalis V, Rieken M, Cornu JN, Gravas S. Latest Evidence on Post-Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023 Feb 2;12(3):1190.
4. Incontinence after Prostate Treatment What You Should Know [Internet]. [cited 2025 Sep 8]. Available from: https://www.urologyhealth.org/documents/Product-Store/English/ProstateHealth-IncontinenceAfterProstateTreatment-FS-2024-English.pdf
5. 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
6. 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
7. Urinary problems after prostate cancer treatment [Internet]. Prostate Cancer UK. 2022. Available from: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/living-with-prostate-cancer/urinary-problems
8. Cancer Research UK. Bladder problems after treatment for prostate cancer | Cancer Research UK [Internet]. www.cancerresearchuk.org. 2022. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/bladder-problems
