What to expect

If you had surgery (radical prostatectomy) you will probably have experienced fairly substantial urine leakage. This usually improves over time, although it may take several weeks/months.

Other non-surgical treatments for prostate cancer can also cause bladder and or bowel problems.

What can I do?

Is your incontinence making you reluctant to get on with your normal everyday activities? For example e.g. popping out to the shops, long car journeys, game of golf? Then you need to find the right mix of continence products that will work for you.

For help and advice on which products will work for you visit the Product Advisor

Pads

You are probably familiar with pads, you may have been given some pads from the hospital and you may have continued to use the same type. But take a look at all the different types available, you may find a design that suits you better. For example: Disposable pants or Disposable leafs.

If you have bowel leakage, specialised pads for bowel leakage (faecal incontinence) are available, read more about pads for bowel incontinence. Other products that you may find helpful for bowel leakage are faecal collectors and anal plugs.

Sheaths

Sheaths are a popular product for many men and work well whether you lead an active lifestyle, are more sedentary or use a wheelchair. In the UK, sheaths are available on prescription from your GP. Find out about sheaths

Products for a short or retracted penis

Having a shortened (retracted) penis can be a side effect of surgery. If you are experiencing this, there are specially designed products that could work for you. You may also find a urine director helpful to direct urine so you can pass urine (pee) standing up.

Male devices

If you have tried sheaths and they haven’t worked for you or you would like to try a reusable device, body-worn urinals might be of interest to you. This group of products doesn't suit everyone but if you are will be mainly walking or carrying out activities in a standing position with limited toilet access ¹, they are worth considering.

Clamps

Active men, who want a product to prevent leakage for a short period (less than two hours) when undertaking a strenuous activity (e.g. running, dancing, bending and lifting) could consider using Clamps/penile compression devices

Male urinals

If you find that you need to go suddenly or first thing in the morning when standing up, it might be worth considering a 'bottle' or male urinal

Bed and chair protection

If you are worried about wetting the bed or chair, you can purchase products designed to protect bedding and upholstery

Other sources of help

Contact your Continence Advisor - If you are in the UK you can be assessed, get help and find product advice from a continence advisor (specialist nurse), either ask your GP for a referral or find your local clinic and refer yourself. Contact The Bladder and Bowel Foundation for help finding clinics in your area, or call their confidential helpline 0845 345 0165

In Canada the Canadian Continence Foundation are a useful source of information

If you are in Australia you can contact the Continence Foundation of Australia

Surgery Support Pack. If you didn’t get one before your surgery apply for a free pack from Prostate Cancer UK, containing information about products and sample products.

Toilet card – Get an urgent toilet card from either – PCUK or Bladder and Bowel Foundation

Radar key – For a small charge this special key will give you access to disabled toilets in the UK which give additional privacy and hand washing facilities and also have disposal bins for continence products link. In Europe the Euro Key is an alternative.

The Great British Toilet Map Is a great resource if you are out and about in an unfamiliar neighbourhood in the UK- find out in advance where the nearest public toilets are.

Australian public toilet map gives details of 16,000 publicly available toilets across Australia, including accessibility, opening hours and facilities, such as showers.