Urinary problems

Coping with urinary incontinence

• Start pelvic floor exercises before surgery to help reduce the likelihood of ongoing urinary incontinence after surgery. The exercises are also important after surgery.
• Ask your doctor, urologist, continence physiotherapist or continence nurse about how to correctly do pelvic floor exercises.
• Drink plenty of water to dilute your urine – concentrated urine can irritate the bladder.
• Keep drinking plenty of fluids, even if you are afraid of leakage. Dehydration can cause constipation, which may also lead to leakage and difficulty passing urine.
• Limit tea and coffee as they contain caffeine, which can irritate the bladder. Alcohol and carbonated drinks may also irritate the bladder.
• Talk to a continence nurse or continence physiotherapist about continence products if needed. These include absorbent pads to wear in your underpants, and bed and chair covers. They may also recommend medicines or a special plastic clamp for your penis.
• Ask your continence nurse or GP if you can apply for the Continence Aids Payment Scheme. This is a yearly payment to help cover the cost of continence products.
• If incontinence does not improve after 6–12 months, talk to your doctor or urologist about whether surgery is an option. For example, a surgically inserted sling or artificial sphincter works by pulling the urethra up to help the sphincter muscle close more effectively.
• Get resources from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia 1800 22 00 99 and the Continence Foundation of Australia 1800 33 00 66.
• See Exercise for people living with cancer, this includes information on pelvic floor exercises.