Leaking urine

[RonaldJ11]

I had surgery for prostate cancer a few years ago and had trouble with leaking but after a few months it improved and didn’t bother me anymore. However I have now noticed that I seem to have started leaking again – when I cough and sneeze or do a quick movement. What would you suggest or recommend I do… could it just be down to my age now, I’m 70 years old.


Ron

[Dr Helen Webberley]

Hi Ron, anyone with any new symptoms should get a check up and not blame age alone. See your GP, have an examination and a blood test and then if it all comes back OK you can sleep easy. Dr Webberley

[Wendy Colley]

Hello Ron
Sorry to hear your leakage has returned following your prostate surgery. As advised by Dr Webberley, it is recommended that first you have your symptoms checked.
It may be useful to start to carry out pelvic floor muscle exercises which will strengthen the muscles around the bladder neck and help to prevent leakage. You may have been taught to carry these out after your initial surgery, but it is important to carry these out for life, to keep the muscles well toned and prevent leakage when you increase the pressure in your abdomen such as when you cough or sneeze, pick up a heavy weight or even just get up from a chair. Just by tightening these muscles at the same time that you do something that makes you leak, can help. The exercises work just as well for older people as younger people so don't accept this leakage as 'normal' because of your age. It may take several weeks to notice an improvement, so do make a point of remembering to do them each day as recommended.
You will find a pelvic floor muscle exercise leaflet for men on the Bladder and Bowel Foundation website at www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org/ or you can call on 0845 345 0165
I hope this helps.
Wendy Colley