radical prostatectomy prescribed pelvic floor exercises how long does urinary incontinence last

Although many men regain normal bladder control within several weeks or months after a radical prostatectomy, there's no real way to predict if leakage will occur and for how long. Most men experience leakage for weeks to a few months, some experience no leakage, and a small percentage of men have long-term or permanent leaking.

The first line of treatment for post-prostatectomy incontinence is pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises. Let's hope your incontinence subsides with the help of stronger pelvic floor muscles.

Best of luck.   - MG

I've been told to expect that "temporary" urinary incontinence can last up to a year following prostate surgery. Pelvic floor exercises are a great thing to do before surgery to help prevent problems, and after surgery to help restore urinary control. However, they don't work immediately - it can take weeks to even months before you see results, and you need to be very consistant about following a daily exercise schedule. If it's been more than a year since your prostatectomy and you've done the exercises for at least a few months, all without seeing much improvement, it's probably time to talk to your doctor about next steps, such as surgery. However, feel free to talk to your doctor sooner if you wish, especially if your leakage is severe.

I'm almost 7 years incontinent after a prostatectomy. Mine got a little worse after about 5 years. I wear at least a pad a day or diaper a day if relatively inactive. If active I have worse stress incontinence. Currently I use a McGuire Urinal made by Coloplast or one made by Urocare, very similar. A good solution but each solution has inconveniences. Pads are soggy wet, as are diapers. Pads feel like a small mattress between you legs and diapers feel like a load in your pants! McGuire urinals are most comfortable while on. The trouble is getting it on properly and then at night cleaning it up for the next day's use.

Incontinence is defined differently by patients and doctors. Patients say they are incontinent if pads, diapers, urinals are nescessary. Doctors don't like to admit that their patients are incontinent so they tend to define incontinence as having NO control and a constant leak.

Good luck. Thst's just the way it is. Some are luckier than others. Deal with it and move on.