Edit Content

Ask The Doc: Why Do I Feel Like I’m Peeing During Foreplay?

QUESTION:
I HAD PROSTATE CANCER WITH A RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY AS TREATMENT. SINCE THEN I FEEL LIKE I’M PEEING DURING FOREPLAY. IT’S SO EMBARRASSING! WHAT SHOULD I DO?

ANSWER:

One of the potential side effects of radical prostatectomy is a condition called urinary incontinence. It’s a broad term used to describe the inability to control urine, but it comes in a number of varieties. What it sounds like you have is something called stress incontinence, or SUI. This occurs when pressure on your bladder from activities like coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercising, or, in your case, sexual activity, causes the leakage of urine.

Stress incontinence is the most common type of incontinence after prostate surgery, so it’s not surprising that you may be experiencing it. It’s usually caused by problems with the bladder sphincter, which is the valve that keeps urine in the bladder. Unfortunately, prostate cancer treatments can damage this value or the nerves that keep it working. (1)

While surgical techniques have improved significantly in recent years, SUI remains a frequent side effect, with reported rates that range from 5% on the low end to 48% on the high end. (2) Timing can also play a role in the symptoms you’re experiencing; shortly after radical prostatectomy, about a third of patients complain about urine leakage, but that number usually drops to fewer than 5% of people once they’re a year out from their operation. (3)

Fortunately, SUI is very treatable. Some of your options include pelvic floor exercises, biofeedback, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, external magnetic stimulation, and penile compression devices. (4) In fact, there are so many quality, proven options that you should reach out to a physician straight away. There’s no reason why you should have to live with this condition any longer than necessary.

The NAFC Ask The Doc series provides answers to some of our reader’s most common questions from a group of experts in the fields of urology, pelvic floor health, bowel health, and absorbent products. Do you have a question you’d like answered? Click here to Ask The Doc!
References:

  1. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/surgery.html
  2. Bauer, R. M., Gozzi, C., Hübner, W., Nitti, V. W., Novara, G., Peterson, A., … & Stief, C. G. (2011). Contemporary management of postprostatectomy incontinence. European urology, 59(6), 985-996.
  3. Peyromaure, M., Ravery, V., & Boccon‐Gibod, L. (2002). The management of stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. BJU international, 90(2), 155-161.
  4. Wilson, L. C., & Gilling, P. J. (2011). Post‐prostatectomy urinary incontinence: a review of surgical treatment options. BJU international, 107, 7-10.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Click here for more about our Trusted Partners, including special offers on products and services.

Related Articles

CAH Headshot April 2023

Carolyn was going to the bathroom 24 times a day… Hear how she found relief.

Today we’re joined by Carolyn Hampton, a patient who had such severe overactive bladder that she was going to the bathroom urgently every hour of the day and night. Medication only did so much for her, but she found real, lasting relief through the InterStim system, a tiny implanted device that helped improve the communication between her brain and her bladder. Listen to learn more about what she was going through and the journey she took to drier days.

en_USEnglish

Do you Experience BlaDder Leaks?

You may be eligible to participate in a new clinical trial for the Intibia™ System, which is being offered at select locations throughout the US. 

If you qualify, you’ll receive study-related evaluations of your UUI condition from a local physician, the Intibia procedure care at no cost, and compensation for your time and travel. 

Stop The Bladder Leaks

Join Our Mailing List and Get a FREE EBook: 21 Ways To Manage Bladder Leaks!

Join Our Mailing List

We use cookies to collect and analyze information related to the use and performance of our website in order to provide functionalities related to social networks, and to adequately improve and personalize the content and advertising on our website. More information