Leaking urine during sex can be an unwanted surprise

If your loved one has just had radical prostatectomy, leaking urine during sex is not uncommon, particularly when he is at the stage of climax (orgasm). This is expected to lessen over time.

What may be more of a shock to a woman is when her man suddenly starts leaking urine during foreplay years later, after he has been fully continent during both foreplay and climax.

This may happen several years after initial radiation treatment. It may also happen if your loved one’s cancer recurs (comes back) after radical prostatectomy and he needs further treatment with radiation (which is then termed salvage radiation). According to the American Cancer Society, the chance of incontinence goes up each year for several years after external beam radiation.

When a man becomes aroused during sex, his pelvic muscles will contract. If his bladder muscles are weakened by treatment, it’s possible that he may leak some urine during sex.

Be prepared

While the urine is harmless, it can definitely be an unwanted surprise. Fortunately, there are some things that may help:

• Your man can limit the amount of fluids he drinks several hours prior to lovemaking
• He can also avoid drinks or foods that contain caffeine, which can stimulate the bladder
• Remind your loved one to completely empty his bladder before lovemaking
• Have your man lie on his back while you make love
• Keep a thick towel on hand (or put a plastic pad down on the bed) in case of an accident

If urine leakage does not improve in the months after initial surgery (or it gets worse over time after initial radiation or salvage treatment), your loved one can talk to his urologist about available treatments for urinary incontinence.

Updated 5/09



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References:
American Cancer Society. How is prostate cancer treated? http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_4X_How_Is_Prostate_Cancer_Treated_36.asp. Accessed February 22, 2009.

Urological Research Foundation. Conditions after radical prostatectomy. http://www.drcatalona.com/qa/arch_rp-conditions.asp. Accessed February 22, 2009.