Prostate cancer is the most prominent cancer among men. According to the statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated tally of 268,490 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022.
While it is true that prostate cancer is a significant health condition, many of its patients go into remission. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates for men with prostate cancer stand at 98%, which is an encouraging sign.
However, many men who go through prostate surgery worry about the likelihood of incontinence — the loss of bladder or bowel control. What is incontinence, and what are the chances that it can happen after prostate removal?
What are the Causes of Male Incontinence?
Incontinence, or the inability to control urination or defecation, may happen to men coming off prostate removal. What happens after prostate removal? The surgery can damage the nerves and muscles that help control urination.
But the likelihood of incontinence after prostate surgery is very low. Roughly 1 to 8.4 percent of people who undergo simple open prostatectomy become incontinent, while only 1 to 2 percent of those who opt for vaporization of the prostate suffer long-term incontinence.
Other causes of male incontinence include obesity, diabetes, urinary tract infections, neurological disorders, chronic cough, nerve damage, constipation, and a weak pelvic floor.
What to Do if You Experience Incontinence?
If you experience incontinence after prostate removal, the first thing you need to do is consult your doctor. There are different kinds of urinary incontinence — the most common are stress, urge, overflow, and mixed incontinence.
Identifying the type of incontinence you’re experiencing will also help you determine which medications you need to take or what treatment you need the most. Treatment options include bladder training, diet management, pelvic floor muscle exercises, or double voiding.
What are Incontinence Products for Men?
Along with medications and the treatments mentioned above, you can also use products that help manage male incontinence after prostate removal. These hygienic products will make your life easier.
Incontinence Briefs and Diapers
These are probably the most common hygienic products that incontinent men use, as they are comfortable to wear and easy to use. These are usually disposable adult diapers with an absorbent core that effectively reduce unpleasant odor and help contain wetness.
Incontinence Care Wipes or Creams
Incontinence care wipes are unscented, hypoallergenic three-in-one cloths that will help you avoid painful skin breakdown due to incontinence moisture. Incontinence care creams serve as a repair treatment to protect your skin. They often contain dimethicone, which acts as a hydrating barrier that helps protect your skin further.
Condom Catheters
You fit a condom catheter around your penis. It is easy to use, and the tube on its end is connected to a collection bag strapped to your body.
Incontinence after prostate removal can cause emotional distress if you let it negatively impact your hygiene. That’s where Simply Medical can help. We offer affordable adult diapers and care wipes to help you manage your incontinence problems.
With fast shipping, supportive customer service, and an easy-to-access website, https://www.simplymedical.com/Simply Medical provides personalized care for many health conditions, including incontinence after prostate removal.