Does Prostate Health Affect Male Incontinence?
You probably don’t think about your prostate, most men don't, well, until they cannot ignore it much longer.
The slower stream. The stop-start flow. The night time dash that wakes you before the alarm. And sometimes... the leak you never expected.
You put it down to ageing. However, this isn't the case...
The prostate and bladder share the same space.
When the Gland Gets Bigger
The prostate sits just beneath the bladder, wrapped around the urethra, the channel urine travels. As men age, it often grows, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. That extra bulk narrows the passage and forces the bladder to push harder every time you go.
At first, you notice hesitation and a weak flow. Continue like that, and the bladder muscle itself begins to tire and become irritable. That’s when urgency creeps in and leaks can follow even when the bladder isn’t full.
After Prostate Cancer Treatment
Surgery or radiotherapy for prostate cancer can unsettle the system differently.
Removing the gland or hitting it with radiation can temporarily weaken the urinary sphincter or irritate the bladder wall. For many men, that shows up as stress incontinence leaks when you cough or lift, or sudden urge incontinence while tissues recover.
It’s a recognised effect of treatment and, for some, it needs targeted rehabilitation to settle.
Getting Control Back
If leaks appear, the first step is a proper assessment.
Sometimes the fix could be treating the blockage with medication or maybe even a simple procedure to ease the pressure. Sometimes it’s about retraining the muscles that close the urethra, especially after surgery.
Men have a pelvic floor, too.
Specialist physiotherapy teaches those muscles to contract and release at the right moment so the urethra seals when pressure spikes. This isn’t a quick squeeze, in fact, it’s structured rehab, and the best results come the earlier you start. Some men recover control in a few months.
Others need further help, advanced pelvic-floor programmes or surgical continence options. However, even if leakage continues to be persistent, this isn’t a failure. It’s a signal for the next step in treatment.
If you are worried about having accidents, then try products that keep you protected while you deal with the cause. This will help you keep clothes and furniture dry from what you cannot always control.
The Takeaway
Changes in the prostate, whether the natural enlargement that comes with age or the after-effects of cancer treatment, can disturb bladder control.
Understanding that link is the first move toward regaining it.
Check with your doctor to find the right medical plan for you, and take the lead back from your bladder.
Bladder and bowel incontinence may be caused by conditions which can be treated medically. Please consult your physician for medical advice and guidance. All sources used in this article are cited below.
