Share this page with friends
Prostate cancer and incontinence are usually linked together because of the effect that some treatments can have on your bladder control. If you’re already dealing with a diagnosis or preparing for treatment, the last thing you want is another unknown to think about.
Change is scary, even short-term change. But it’s important to know that changes to bladder control are very common for men with prostate cancer, especially during or after treatment.
You’re not alone in experiencing this.
Thankfully, there are so many great resources and products around today, that managing these changes has become far easier.
In this article we will break down why prostate cancer and urinary incontinence are linked, the stages of incontinence after a prostatectomy and other treatments, how long these changes last and how to manage them.
Despite this, there is still a lasting stigma around discussing these issues amongst men.
Of these, many men find themselves experiencing urinary problems as a side effect of their treatment for prostate cancer. This is usually because prostate cancer treatment can damage the nerves and muscles that control how often you wee.
Because the prostate sits directly beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra, it plays a role in how liquids leave the body. When the prostate becomes enlarged, inflamed, or affected by cancer and treatments, it can begin to interfere with the normal flow of liquids and the muscles that help control it.
This can be incredibly frustrating at first, especially if you weren’t expecting them. However, these changes are often manageable, and for many people they improve quickly over time or after physiotherapies.
For some men, prostate cancer itself can lead to changes in bladder habits. You might notice:
A more frequent need to go to the toilet
A sudden urge to go out of nowhere,
Difficulty fully emptying your bladder
Leaks after you’ve finished weeing and left the toilet
It’s worth knowing, however, that many bladder control changes are brought on as a result of treatment rather than the cancer itself. Procedures that remove or treat the prostate can temporarily affect the muscles and nerves that help control the bladder.
Urinary incontinence is a medical way of simply describing experiencing leaks when you don’t intend to. For men living with prostate cancer or going through treatment, this can happen for a few different reasons, most commonly related to changes in the muscles and nerves that help control the bladder.
The bladder and prostate sit very close to one another in our bodies and work closely together. When the prostate is affected by cancer or treated through surgery or radiotherapy, the surrounding muscles that control bladder release can temporarily become weaker or irritated.
For many people, this can make it harder to hold liquids in the same way you did before treatment. Men may experience different types of urinary incontinence during this time:
Stress incontinence is the most common type after prostate surgery. Leaks can happen when pressure is placed on the bladder, such as when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or standing up.
Urge incontinence can be described as when you suddenly feel a strong urge to go to the toilet and, in some cases, may not have enough time to reach it. This type of urgency is often caused by the bladder muscles becoming more sensitive after treatment.
Overflow incontinence, although less common here, can cause the bladder to not empty fully when you use the toilet. When this happens, small leaks can occur because the bladder becomes too full.
Although experiencing these kinds of leaks is incredibly frustrating and alarming at first, they are a recognised part of the recovery process following prostate cancer treatments.
However, no matter how these bladder changes manifest for you, there are many great techniques and products out there for managing them effectively, so they don’t interfere with your normal routine.
Treatments that remove or target the prostate can temporarily affect the muscles and nerves that help control the bladder. As your body heals and adjusts, it’s quite normal to notice changes in bladder control.
The type of treatment you are given can influence how these changes appear and how long they may last.
A prostatectomy is a type of surgery performed to remove part of or all of the prostate gland. This gland forms part of the male reproductive system, surrounding the tube (urethra) that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
There are a few types of prostatectomy, but in general, many men notice leaks shortly after their catheter is removed.
For two weeks after your prostatectomy, you will be provided with a urinary catheter. When this is removed, most men experience some form of leaks. Whilst this can be alarming, this is a normal part of recovery, as the pelvic floor muscles are adjusting to working without the prostate in place.
Recovery often happens in stages:
Leaks can happen when standing up, walking, coughing, or changing position. This is usually the stage where leaks are most noticeable. Because of the frequency of leaks, you should make sure you have a supply of incontinence products ready.
Over the following weeks and months, the pelvic floor muscles gradually regain strength. Many men find that leaks become less frequent and easier to manage during this time.
Most men find that their symptoms improve over 3-6 months. You may be offered a form of physiotherapy to assist with this recovery process.
For some men, small leaks may continue for longer, particularly during physical activity or sudden movements. There are cases where recovery can take 1 to 2 years, whilst some other men may need intervention treatment to prevent permanent leaks.
Ultimately, everyone’s recovery timeline is different, but gradual improvement is very common.
Radiotherapy treats prostate cancer by targeting the prostate with radiation. While it does not involve surgery, it can cause irritation within the bladder and surrounding tissues.
Because of this irritation, some men may notice:
A more frequent need to urinate
A stronger or more sudden urge to go
Burning sensations whilst peeing
Occasional leaks if the urge comes on quickly
These symptoms can appear during treatment or develop gradually afterwards. They usually occur because the urethra tube becomes more narrow during the treatment, otherwise known as a urethral stricture.
There are treatments available to widen the urethra if needed, but most men find that these symptoms only last a few weeks to a few month.
It’s no surprise that one of the most common questions men have after prostate cancer treatment is: how long incontinence or bladder changes will last? The honest answer is that recovery looks different for everyone, but most men find that symptoms improve gradually over a period of 3–6 months.
Following prostate surgery, leaks are most frequent in the early weeks after the catheter is removed. As the pelvic floor muscles begin to strengthen again, bladder control begins to gradually improve.
If you’re undergoing radiotherapy, the recovery process is slightly different. The radiation can cause bladder irritation during treatment or sometime afterwards, which can lead to urgency or occasional leaks. Generally speaking, these symptoms often ease a little quicker as the bladder settles, although the timeline can range from a few weeks to months.
To speed up the recovery process, pelvic floor exercises are recommended to help rebuild strength and support recovery. These exercises target the muscles that help control the release of liquids, and research has found that they can have a noticeable difference on how long leaks last.
Because every case is slightly different, you should monitor your own progress. If leaks continue far longer than you think they should or if they begin to affect your day-to-day life, it’s always worth speaking with your doctor or nurse.
Specialists will be able to identify whether things are progressing as normal, offer advice, check your recovery, and suggest more solutions to mitigate the worst of the symptoms.
Experiencing leaks after prostate cancer treatment can feel like a big adjustment, especially when they first arise. But many men find that with a few simple changes and the right support, it’s possible to get on with your normal routine without leaks getting in the way.
Usually a key recommendation from healthcare professionals after undergoing prostate surgery, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help strengthen the muscles around the bladder.
Performing these regularly can gradually rebuild strength and have been proven to improve control over time.
A little planning can go a long way when it comes to bladder control. Some men find it helpful to visit the toilet regularly rather than waiting until the urge becomes stronger.
This can help prevent the bladder from becoming too full and reduce the chance of sudden leaks. At night time, try and schedule a visit to the toilet just before going to sleep.
It might seem logical to drink less to avoid leaks, but you might be surprised to hear that reducing the amount of fluids you drink can actually irritate the bladder and make symptoms worse.
By staying hydrated you can help dilute your urine within the bladder, actually reducing the amount of time you spend on the toilet. Aim to drink about 2 litres of water a day, but stop drinking about 2 hours before bed.
There are plenty of products on the market and some NHS clinics may even provide you free products after a surgery. Many men, however, choose to seek out and buy their own discreet incontinence products while their body recovers.
Quality incontinence products designed specifically for men, are often shaped to fit the male body and can absorb small leaks while sitting comfortably under everyday clothing. Male guards and male shaped pads are a good first option, however if you find that you need something with better protection, consider looking at men’s incontinence pants.
Prostate cancer itself can rarely affect bladder control, instead leaks are more commonly linked to treatments or surgeries.
Because the prostate sits just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, surgery or radiotherapy can affect the muscles and nerves that help control bladder release. This is the main factor for many men experiencing leaks and difficulty holding liquids.
Yes, it is very common. Most men experience some changes in bladder control after prostate cancer treatment, particularly after surgery to remove the prostate. Leaks happen more often in the weeks following catheter removal.
Radiotherapy can also irritate the bladder and lead to urgency or occasional leaks. For many men, these symptoms improve as the body recovers.
Leaks are most common in the weeks after the catheter is removed following surgery. Over time, the pelvic floor muscles gradually strengthen and bladder control usually improves.
Many men see steady progress over several weeks or months, although recovery timelines vary from person to person.
Recovery can vary. Some men notice improvement within a few weeks, while for others it may take several months for bladder control to return. On rare occasions, some men may take 1-2 years to fully recover and stop experiencing leaks.
Not all the time. While many men experience temporary leaks after prostate surgery, not everyone will develop long-term incontinence. Bladder control often improves as the pelvic floor muscles strengthen during recovery.
Yes, they can make a big difference. Pelvic floor exercises help strengthen the muscles that support bladder control. Many healthcare professionals recommend them after prostate surgery to help improve bladder control and reduce recovery times.
If you are ever concerned about the severity of your leaks or if they worsen, or begin to affect your daily life, it’s worth speaking with a healthcare professional. An expert can check your recovery, see if things are progressing as usual and suggest ways to help manage symptoms comfortably.
Prostate cancer, much like many men's health issues can feel difficult to talk about, but they’re far more common than many people realise.
With millions of men experiencing leaks during or after treatment, speaking openly about it can make a real difference. The more conversations we have about prostate cancer and incontinence, the easier it becomes for men to seek advice, find support, and realise they’re not facing these challenges alone.
If you or someone close to you is experiencing bladder changes after prostate cancer treatment, don’t hesitate to seek out healthcare professionals, support groups, and specialist organisations, all of which can all help you understand what’s happening and make what's ahead far less isolating.
March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness of prostate cancer, encourage early conversations about symptoms, and support men living with the condition.
Organisations such as Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support are already doing great work to provide real guidance, information and a support network for anyone affected by prostate cancer.
Find out how you can get involved today and let's remove the taboo from men's health and prostate cancer.
