Problems After High Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Youre more likely to get urinary problems after HIFU if youve already had other treatments for prostate cancer. Possible urinary problems include:
- difficulty urinating
- urine infections.
Difficulty urinating
HIFU usually causes the prostate to swell for a week or two, so youll have a catheter to drain urine from your bladder until the swelling has gone. HIFU can also cause the urethra to become narrow, making it difficult to empty your bladder .
Leaking urine
HIFU can cause some men to leak urine when they cough, sneeze or exercise . This may be more likely if youve already had radiotherapy. There are ways to manage leaking urine.
Urine infections
Some men get a urine infection after HIFU. If this happens, youll be given a course of antibiotics to clear the infection.
How Long Does Urinary Incontinence After Prostate Surgery Last
It’s impossible to say exactly how long it lasts. The chances of you having urinary problems may be influenced by your age, weight and the physical characteristics of your urethra .
However, a majority of men are eventually continent after a radical prostatectomy. In many cases, men are able to go safely without any kind of incontinence product after about three months. This is especially true of men who are healthy overall and fall into the age range of 40 to 60 years. If you are having persistent problems, its important to know that there are ways to treat urinary incontinence after prostate surgery.
Anatomical Structure To Prevent Postoperative Incontinence In Men: Lessons Learned From Women
SUI is certainly a public health problem, affecting QOL mainly in females. Understanding the anatomical and functional structure in the female pelvis, and the pathophysiology of female SUI, has contributed to insight in generating the procedures to improve this condition. Therefore, this knowledge contributes to the development of intraoperative techniques to improve the early return of urinary continence after RARP. In general, the anatomical structure to maintain continence includes two systems: a sphincteric system and a supportive system, in both males and females., As a result of RP, these two systems are impaired, and consequently induce postoperative urinary incontinence.
Read Also: What Age Do Males Get Prostate Cancer
What Are The Advantages Of Choosing Robotic Prostatectomy
Patients who undergo Robotic Prostatectomy have significant advantages over those who have Open Prostatectomy. A huge advantage of Robotic Prostatectomy is that it is minimally invasive. Instead of having a 5 or 6 incision to the skin and abdominal fascia, patients have a series of small incisions. As Alliance Urology Specialist surgeon Lester Borden explains, robotic prostatectomy patients receive the benefit of smaller incisions, which results in less postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization and quicker recovery. In Robotic Prostatectomy, incisions are located across the abdomen, rather than vertically on the lower abdomen as with open surgery.
Experts agree that a Urologist is able to visualize the pelvic organs better than in other methods of surgery. The magnification of a 3D high-definition camera provides enhanced visualisation of small blood vessels, nerves and other structures. A mobile camera view also allows the surgeon to easily look behind the prostate. The dexterity of the robot allows a tension-free closure of the bladder and urethra. The surgeon is able to control the camera personally, allowing the instrument movement to be synchronized with the camera.
Robotic Surgery Technology
Are you a male suffering from incontinence? for tips and advice.
How Can I Help Myself
Urinary problems can affect your self-esteem and independence, and affect your work, social and sex life.
Making some changes to your lifestyle may help, and there are some practical steps that can make things easier.
- Try to drink plenty of fluids, but cut down on fizzy drinks, alcohol, tea and coffee as these may irritate the bladder
- Do regular pelvic floor muscle exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control when you urinate.
- Try to stay a healthy weight. Being overweight can put pressure on your bladder and pelvic floor muscles.
- If you smoke, try to stop. Smoking can cause coughing which puts pressure on your pelvic floor muscles. NHS Choices has more information about stopping smoking
- Plan ahead when you go out. For example, find out where there are public toilets before leaving home.
- Pack a bag with extra pads, underwear and wet wipes. Some men also find it useful to carry a screw-top container in case they cant find a toilet.
- Get our Urgent toilet card to help make it easier to ask for urgent access to a toilet.
- Disability Rights UK runs a National Key Scheme for anyone who needs access to locked public toilets across the UK because of a disability or health condition.
- If you often need to use the toilet at night, leave a light on in case youre in a hurry, or keep a container near your bed.
For more information look at our How to manage urinary problems guide.
Read Also: Prostate Urine Risk Pur Test
Surgical Approaches: Male Slings
In recent years, various novel surgical treatments have been introduced as alternatives to the AUS. Anti-incontinence procedures can be classified into non-adjustable male slings , adjustable male slings , and adjustable balloon devices . Unlike the AUS, which compresses the urethra circumferentially, thereby interfering with venous blood flow and predisposing the patient to urethral atrophy and even erosion, the male sling compresses only the ventral aspect of the bulbar urethra, leaving the dorsal and lateral blood flow intact. Moreover, tissue, including the bulbospongiosus muscle, is left intact over the urethra, serving as a cushion between the urethra and the sling and further minimizing the risk of erosion.
Recommended Reading: How To Massage A Mans Prostate
What Changes Do I Need To Make To My Diet
Discuss your post-surgery diet with your doctor as you will probably want to avoid or at least minimize issues such as constipation. The lack of exercise, the medication, even the stress, might affect your bowel functions. Your diet will be focused on eating more vegetables, fruits, grains and avoiding meat, especially the red one, pasta, alcohol, fast-food, sugar and processed desserts.
You May Like: Best Treatment For Low Grade Prostate Cancer
Do All Men Have Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy Surgery
No, most men see a quick improvement in continence over the first several months after the catheter is removed, but incontinence can remain troublesome in some men 1 year after surgery. Most surgeons will consider a man continent if they do not regularly use incontinence pads and only have occasional dribbling with lots of activity. Most importantly, however, is how bothersome your urinary incontinence is to you, as our goal is to improve your quality of life as much as possible.
What Is The Prostate’s Role In Urination
When urine is emptied into the bladder from the kidneys, it’s kept inside the body by a couple of valves that stay closed until your body tells them to open when you urinate.
If youve had your prostate completely removed, youve had a surgery called radical prostatectomy. Along with the prostate gland, the surgeon has to remove one of the valves outside the prostate that open and close to let urine out or keep it in. Usually having one working valve is enough, but there might also be also be some effect on the nerves and muscles in the area from the surgery that allows urine to leak. Approximately 6% to 8% of men who’ve had surgery to remove their prostates will develop urinary incontinence.
Don’t Miss: Is Banana Good For Prostate Cancer
Will Kegel Exercises Help With My Urinary Control
Kegel exercises are recommended and contribute to regaining urinary control. Dr. David Samadi even encourages patients to start them before surgery as a type of pre-conditioning. Kegels are a simple exercise of clenching and releasing the muscles that control your urine flow.
Kegels must be done every day to strenghten the pelvic floor muscles. Check this Mayo Clinic article on how to perform these exercises.
Urinary Control Or Continence
Loss of continence is one of the most stress-producing potential side effects of radical prostatectomy because urinary functions are so frequent throughout the day and dysfunction brings into embarrassing highlight what was for most of a mans life an unconscious function requiring little attention.
Recommended Reading: What Does Low Grade Prostate Cancer Mean
Cost Of Enlarged Prostate Treatment Without Insurance
At New York Urology Specialists, we offer affordable treatment for men. Our prices are low for patients without insurance and for those who have high insurance copays, high deductibles, or insurance plans that do not cover treatment costs.
At New York Urology Specialists, we offer a flat-fee all-cost-includedRezum procedure. The procedure is performed in our office under local anesthesia. Men from other states can save thousands of dollars over local hospital fees by coming to New York Urology Specialists for treatment. Please contact us for current prices and discounts for patients without insurance or with high insurance deductibles.
At New York Urology Specialists, we offer a flat-fee all-cost-includedUrolift procedure. The procedure is performed in our office under local anesthesia. Men from other states can save thousands of dollars over local hospital fees by coming to New York Urology Specialists for treatment.
Urinary Dysfunction After Prostate Cancer Treatment
The term urinary dysfunction includes:
-
Urinary incontinence, which can range from some leaking to complete loss of bladder control
-
Irritative voiding symptoms or urinary bother, including increased urinary frequency, urgency, and pain upon urination
Bladder obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate is the typical reason for these symptoms initially. However, after therapy, they are typically caused by damage to the nerves and muscles used in urinary control.
Read Also: Chemotherapy For Prostate Cancer Stage 4
Statistics On Incontinence After Surgery
A large number of men experience incontinence after a total prostatectomy, at least temporarily. For some lucky few, the incontinence will end in a short time, others will suffer for a few months, and some may live with it permanently.
Many doctors tend to maximize the small number of patients that have few problems and ignore the larger numbers that have permanent dysfunction.
Generally, a Foley catheter is inserted during or just before the surgery to take care of temporary incontinence caused by the surgery. This device will be left in the patient for about a week after surgery.
A Foley catheter is a flexible tube that is passed through the penis and into the bladder to drain urine. It is held in place in the bladder by a small balloon inflated at insertion time. Its other end connects to a collection bag. It is an indwelling urinary catheter designed for short-term use.
On a follow-up visit after surgery, the surgeon will remove the Foley catheter, and the man can attempt natural voiding. In many cases, natural voiding is unsuccessful, and the catheter is left in for another cycle. Usually, the patient is introduced to absorbent pads as a temporary measure until natural voiding is successful.
General Fitness/ Core 15% Of The Solution
I saw a dramatic decrease in incontinence through running/jogging downhill WITHOUT reducing any weight. Therefore I do not believe that strengthening kegels or reducing weight have anywhere close to the curative effect of jogging downhill.
This includes crunches, plank, weights, and extreme Pilates. And the bike. DO THE PETER DORMAN EXERCISES WHICH GO BEYOND THE KEGEL EXERCISES html HERE.
DO THE STANDING BIKE
One month after having the robotic prostate removal I started a standing 20 minute per day spinning bike program.. Within 3 days all my leakage stopped, my stream went from sporadic to full and I stopped wearing pads!I asked a massage specialized and she said I had strengthened muscles around my bladder and urinary system therefore helping my post surgery problems 10 fold. I am now in my 4th week of standing spinning and I feel like a new person. I only urinate 2 times a night instead of 5-6.
PELVIC YOGA
Yoga, I found, has plenty of exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic region. Further, its a way of toning the muscles without the heavy lifting and the physical exertion that a patient recovering from abdominal surgery ought to avoid, and it offers an effective, long-term way of helping the body to recover.
DYNAMIC PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES
The physiotherapist Stuart Doorbar-Baptist, in his talk, explains this very well.
NOT A SOLUTION:
I read somewhere that Obesity has a negative effect on incontinence so you should reduce your weight.
Also Check: Psma Scan For Prostate Cancer
Incontinence After Prostate Surgery Forums
Going through prostate cancer and having your prostate removed can be a physically and emotionally trying time in life. Many men are unprepared for the extent to which they may experience bladder leaks after prostate removal and it can be disheartening to have undergone surgery only to experience a loss of bladder control for a period afterward.
Fortunately, this is usually resolved within a year. During that time though, you may find that you need someone to talk to about your experience. Finding a forum or message board filled with people who can relate can help ease some of the tensions that you may be going through.
The NAFC message boards are a great way to connect with others who may also be experiencing incontinence, due to prostate surgery or other conditions. Theyre free to join and the forum is anonymous so you can speak freely without the worry of feeling embarrassed or ashamed. NAFC is proud of this amazing group of individuals who visit the forums and courageously share their stories, offer support, and provide inspiration to each other. We encourage you to check it out!
How Might Surgery For Prostate Cancer Cause Urinary Incontinence
There are several different treatment options for men with prostate cancer and not all men with prostate cancer need to have surgery.
The main options for men with aggressive prostate cancer are:
- Surgery to remove the prostate, which is called radical prostatectomy
- External radiotherapy
- High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound .
Each case is different and your specialist doctor will discuss your options with you.
Treatment to remove or destroy the prostate can damage nerves and the external urethral sphincter . This then causes stress incontinence.
Damage to the bladder following treatment for prostate cancer can also cause bladder storage problems resulting in urge incontinence symptoms.
Also Check: Is Drinking Beer Bad For Prostate Cancer
How Do I Clean My Urinary Catheter
You need to wash your penis and the whole catheter tube gently with soap and warm water two times a day. It will be easier to remember to do this regularly if you plan to do it in the morning and before you go to bed at night. You may clean your penis and whole catheter tube this with warm soapy water and a wash cloth or in the shower. Do not take a tub bath while you have your catheter in place. It is important to keep your penis and the catheter clean so that you do not get an infection. Cleaning your catheter in the shower. When you take a shower to clean your catheter:
- Do not use very hot or cold water when you shower.
- Wash your penis and the catheter tubing very gently. Be careful not to pull or tug on the tubing.
Cleaning your skin and catheter out of the shower.
Also Check: How Long Does A Prostate Biopsy Take
How Bad Is The Pain After Prostate Surgery
The level of pain is lower than that of open prostatectomy, due to smaller incisions. However, you will be administered pain medication both orally and intravenously, through an IV. Make sure you have someone to pick you up from the hospital, as you wont be able to drive right away. Ask your doctor to recommend some pain medication and dosages that you can take from home most common ones are Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Even though the recovery is fast, you should get plenty of rest and not force yourself with lifting weights or exercises in the first few weeks.
Recommended Reading: Can A Man Live Without A Prostate
Bleeding After Prostatectomy: Endovascular Management
Anna Maria Ierardi1, Maria Laura Jannone1, Pietro Maria Brambillasca1, Stefania Zannoni1, Giovanni Damiani2, Umberto G. Rossi3, Antonio Maria Granata4, Mario Petrillo1, Gianpaolo Carrafiello1
1Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan 3Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Interventional Radiology Unit, E.O. Galliera Hospital 4Department of Urology, ASST Fatebene Fratelli-Sacco, Milan , Italy
Contributions: Conception and design: AM Ierardi, G Carrafiello Administrative support: None Provision of study materials or patients: AM Ierardi, ML Jannone Collection and assembly of data: ML Jannone, PM Brambillasca, M Petrillo, AM Granata, AM Ierardi Data analysis and interpretation: UG Rossi, G Damiani, AM Ierardi Manuscript writing: All authors Final approval of manuscript: All authors.
Correspondence to:
Background: To evaluate role of interventional radiology in post-surgical haemorrhagic complications of prostatectomy.
Methods: A retrospective study was performed. From April 2015 to January 2018, 10 patients referred to IR Department for haemorrhagic complications post radical prostatectomy . All patients were successfully treated with superselective trans-arterial embolization. We evaluated technical and clinical success and post procedural complications.
The endovascular management of significant haemorrhage after prostatectomy is safe and long-term effective, with no major ischaemic events associated to embolization.
Kegel Exercises May Help
Kegel exercises or pelvic floor muscle training) exercises have been shown to help with incontinence. They target and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. While incontinence caused by surgery is not a matter of weakness of these muscles, strengthening them may assist in urinary control.
The prostate gland can be found under the bladder, surrounding the urethra. The urethra is a tube that carries urine through the penis out of the body.
However, during prostate treatment, the muscles surrounding the prostate can become gradually weakened, resulting in urine leakage and even incontinence.
A Kegel exercise starts as if you are trying to urinate and then holding it by tightening the muscles that control urine flow. As urine flow starts, tightening the muscles will stop it. The muscles that control the urine flow are the pelvic floor muscles and those you need to strengthen.
Pelvic floor muscle exercise is done by tightening and relaxing this set of muscles at least three times per day. Each set consists of tightening and holding for a period of 3 to 5 seconds and repeating about 10 times several times per day. There are many Internet websites with instructions on implementing various Kegel exercises.
For many men locating the pelvic muscles can be a struggle. To find your pelvic muscle try to stop and start your urine stream when urinating.
Remember not to tense your buttocks or your legs and abdomen. Also, take note to keep breathing calmly.
Also Check: Can Your Prostate Affect Bowel Movements