Compared with other types of prostate
cancer treatments, cryotherapy
entails a relatively low risk of incontinence side effects.
Cryotherapy is a relatively new prostate cancer treatment,
and researchers dispute the exact numbers of patients
in cryosurgery clinical trials who experience incontinence.
Generally, 5 percent of patients who undergo prostate
cryotherapy as primary therapy and 10% of patients who
undergo treatment as salvage therapy will experience
incontinence. There are also different types of incontinence:
some men may experience no control over the flow of
urine while others may experience minimal leakage. Each
clinical trial has a different set of standards to assess
incontinence.
After Prostate Cancer Cryosurgery
Immediately following the cryotherapy procedure and
after the removal of the catheter, many men will experience
urinary
side effects which are not the same as incontinence.
Urinary side effects may include irritation, frequency,
pain, and minor leakage from which most men will recover
without medical intervention as their bodies continue
to heal from the procedure.
Treatments for Incontinence
after Prostate Cancer Treatment
Speak with your doctor if incontinence symptoms are
affecting participation in everyday life. There are
a number of incontinence products and treatments available
including:
Incontinence Undergarments
Many men who undergo prostate cancer treatments can
rely on a variety of incontinence undergarments. Incontinence
undergarments are used to absorb urinary leakage and
are commonly used by men who experience urinary side
effects after treatment as well as incontinence. There
are a variety of styles available, such as adhesive,
anatomically-shaped guards which are attached to the
underwear or briefs and other undergarments, some of
which can be removed without undressing. Incontinence
undergarments can be purchased as undergarments and
allow men to participate in daily activities inside
and outside of the home without worrying about leakage.
Strengthen the Pelvic Floor
Muscles: Incontinence
Exercises
Exercises for the pelvic floor muscles are known as
Kegel Exercises. They strengthen the muscles that control
the flow of urine. Overtime, Kegel exercises will increase
the ability of a man who has undergone prostate cancer
cryotherapy to control leakage. Kegel exercises are
performed by tightening the pelvic muscles which can
be located by stopping the stream of urine. Tighten
these muscles, not the buttocks nor thighs. While keeping
your legs together, breathe deeply and slowly to tighten
these muscles. Hold for ten seconds, then release. Speak
to your doctor if you have questions about establishing
a proper schedule. Kegel exercises are a no-cost, easy
way for many men to regain control of their pelvic floor
muscles after prostate cancer treatments.
Medications
for Incontinence
For incontinence that has become severe after cryosurgery,
some men speak to their doctors about pharmaceutical
alternatives. Decongestants,
anti-depressants,
or other drugs are prescribed depending on the type
of incontinence that is experienced. Decongestants work
by helping to tighten the muscles that allow urine to
flow from the body, while anticholinergic
agents relax the smooth muscles in the bladder which
decreases the contractions that signal the urge to urinate.
Speak to your doctor for a medication that might benefit
your type of incontinence.
There are other treatments for
prostate cancer incontinence. Click here
to learn more or speak with your doctor about what's
right for you.
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