More than 12 Months

Most men who experience bladder leakage after surgery find that they no longer have leakage by 12 months after their operation.

But research suggests that 10-15 men out of 100 ¹ will have long-term bladder leakage beyond 12 months after surgery. This is unlikely to improve without further surgery.

If you are one of these men there are still other options that you can explore.

Quite frankly I was getting desperate, there's nothing you can do, you've got to drink .. the more you drink the more you urinate

What can I do?
Further Treatments

What can I do?

If you haven’t done previously contact your continence specialist. In the UK you can ask your family doctor to refer you. You can find your local continence or bladder and bowel service by looking at your local community trust website or by searching the database at the bladder and bowel community.

Make sure that you have investigated all of the products that are available finding the right products for you can make all the difference. Sheaths, pads and clamps are the most popular products for men.

For suggestions on which products will work for you visit the Product Advisor

Read the Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise and diet and lifestyle advice information.

Find local prostate cancer support groups in your area. Look out for adverts in local hospitals or cancer centres.

In the UK you can find details of local support groups at Tackle Prostate Cancer and Prostate Cancer UK.

Prostate Cancer Canada and the American Cancer Society both have a database of groups.

These groups give you the opportunity to meet up with other men and share your experiences and often operate in local areas and communities.

Further Treatments

There are treatments for long-term incontinence that you may want to find out about. Talk to your doctor to find out if any of them are suitable for you.

Bladder retraining - depending on which treatment you had for prostate cancer, you may find that you are going to the toilet often (frequency) or you need to go suddenly (urgency) and sometimes leak urine before getting to the toilet (urge incontinence). Bladder retraining could help with this, ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist nurse or physiotherapist.

Medication - options include a group of drugs called anti-cholinergics which can help to dampen down bladder contractions. An alternative is 'Botox®' (Botulinum Toxin) which is injected into the bladder to stop it squeezing urine out before it is full.

Percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) - a very thin needle is put into the nerve just above your ankle. A mild electric current is passed through the needle and carried to the nerves that control bladder function. This treatment is also available to treat bowel problems.

Artificial urinay sphincter - this is a small device that is inserted during an operation. It consists of three parts: a fluid-filled cuff that fits around your urethra (the tube that you pee through), a balloon in front of your bladder and a pump in your scrotum (the skin around your testicles). When inflated the cuff applies a gentle pressure to the urethra closing it and preventing urine leaking. Operation of the button allows you to deflate the cuff when you wish to pass urine. Find out more about artificial urinary sphincters.

Male sling - this also involves an operation in which a small piece of material is inserted which presses gently on your urethra to keep it closed and prevent leakage.

Adjustable balloons - this also involves an operation. These fluid-filled balloons press on your urethra to stop leakage. They can have fluid added or removed to enable you to pass urine normally.

For more information about all these treatments visit Prostate Cancer UK.

What can I do?
Further Treatments