Prostate Restored
Photo by Carlos Rubio Tristan Pexels Logo Photo: Carlos Rubio Tristan

How long does incontinence last after prostate surgery?

Most people regain control in the weeks after we remove the catheter. The vast majority of men who had normal urinary control before the procedure achieve it again within 3 to 18 months after the surgery.

How long does it take for garlic to lower blood pressure fast?
How long does it take for garlic to lower blood pressure fast?

1. Raw garlic: Eating fresh, raw garlic is one among the herbal remedies for controlling high blood pressure. Chewing raw garlic will activate...

Read More »
What hormone is responsible for belly fat?
What hormone is responsible for belly fat?

High Leptin High levels of the hormone leptin are also associated with increased weight gain in the lower belly. Fat cells release leptin, which...

Read More »

A concern that many men understandably share in considering prostate surgery is its possible effect on their bladder control. Most people regain control in the weeks after we remove the catheter. The vast majority of men who had normal urinary control before the procedure achieve it again within 3 to 18 months after the surgery. At Mount Sinai, our track record is better than the national average. Some men have immediate bladder control and do not leak urine after the surgery. However, for most men, regaining full control of their urine is a gradual process that takes several weeks or months. By six months, most men who were continent before the surgery no longer need pads, though some prefer to wear just a liner for security even if they do not leak.

The two types of incontinence following prostate surgery are:

Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine that can occur during physical activity, like lifting a heavy object, or when you laugh or sneeze, putting increased "stress" or pressure on the bladder. Stress incontinence accounts for the majority of incontinence problems. is the involuntary loss of urine that can occur during physical activity, like lifting a heavy object, or when you laugh or sneeze, putting increased "stress" or pressure on the bladder. Stress incontinence accounts for the majority of incontinence problems. Urge incontinence is the sudden need to urinate due to bladder spasms or contractions. To hasten the recovery of urinary control, we teach you pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the urinary sphincter. These exercises are known as Kegel exercises. Basically, they consist of tightening the urine control muscle (the sphincter muscles) 10 to 20 times every hour to strengthen the muscle that controls urine flow. We may recommend other behavioral strategies as well, including timed voiding, double voiding, and reduced fluid intake, which can significantly help facilitate urinary control and can be started shortly after surgery.

Continence Treatment

In about 5 percent of patients, there can be damage to the urinary sphincter or the nerves nearby, resulting in temporary or permanent incontinence. A minority of patients may have delayed healing of the bladder/urethra connection and thus require longer catheterization or may require re-insertion of the catheter because of swelling at the connection. We tailor our continence treatment to your medical history, physical condition, and personal preferences. We use a biofeedback program that speeds up the process of urinary recovery. Most patients report that they are fully continent and have a stream of urine that is better than pre surgery stream (due to enlarged prostate) within a few months after surgery. If continence problems persist, there are minimally invasive surgical options that are highly successful, such as the male urethral sling and the artificial sphincter. At Mount Sinai, we do these surgeries as outpatient procedures.

Can vitamin D restore testosterone?
Can vitamin D restore testosterone?

For most men, a higher vitamin D intake will probably not strongly influence the concentration of testosterone, but men with vitamin D deficiency...

Read More »
Why do singers stick out their tongue?
Why do singers stick out their tongue?

How it Works. Feeling tongue-tied locks up your vocal chords and prevents the free flow of air and good breathing that results in the melodic...

Read More »

Is Ginger good for the prostate?
Is Ginger good for the prostate?

Ginger is effective in blocking 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme that promotes cancer development. It helps reduce the risk of cancer and even helps...

Read More »
What are the top 5 vitamins for men?
What are the top 5 vitamins for men?

5 important vitamins and supplements men should consider Vitamin D: a key factor in testosterone levels. ... Magnesium is crucial to overall...

Read More »
What is the most common prostate surgery?
What is the most common prostate surgery?

There are several methods of radical prostatectomy: Radical prostatectomy with retropubic (suprapubic) approach. This is the most common surgical...

Read More »
What is the safest type of prostate biopsy?
What is the safest type of prostate biopsy?

In conclusion, our study indicated that transperineal prostate biopsy has the same diagnosis accuracy of transrectal prostate biopsy; however,...

Read More »