What is SUI?
It can be humiliating and uncomfortable when you leak urine during coughing, sneezing, or exertion. This leakage is called stress urinary incontinence (SUI). When the urinary sphincter muscle is damaged, it cannot squeeze and close off the flow of urine from your bladder.
SUI is a common side effect of prostate cancer treatment, such as surgery (radical prostatectomy) or radiation. It can also be a symptom from enlarged prostate (BPH) surgery, pelvic trauma, or a neurological condition such as spina bifida.2
No leakage is minor
SUI can affect nearly every part of your life. Beyond the impact on your relationships with friends and family, you may feel a financial strain from the purchases related to leakage. Pads, diapers, skin care and odor control products may be expensive. Don’t forget the costs associated with laundry and dry cleaning. The good news is that, if your leakage becomes overwhelming, you have options.
Your life, your treatment
For many men, lifestyle planning and medical treatment can ease the burden of bladder leakage or SUI. Some men are able to manage their incontinence with absorbent pads and protective undergarments. Other men have a medical device designed to improve bladder control, such as a male sling or an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). If your bladder control does not improve over time, talk to a urologist specializing in male stress urinary incontinence.
94% of patients would recommend AUS placement to a friend or family member3
Men who wear one pad per day can experience a decreased quality of life over those who are completely dry.4
SUI and medical conditions
Male stress urinary incontinence is not an inherited condition, but rather a known side effect of prostate cancer treatment and, on occasion, enlarged prostate treatment, pelvic trauma or a neurological condition.2
After prostate cancer treatment
Most men who undergo a prostatectomy experience bladder leakage in the first few weeks after their procedure.5 Approximately 9–16% of men have persistent post-prostatectomy leakage 1 year after treatment.6
When nerves are damaged
There are many ways that the nerves responsible for bladder control in men can be compromised, including pelvic trauma and medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and stroke.7 Up to 5% of patients have problems with bladder leakage following repair of urethral trauma.8 Other neurological conditions may impact bladder control and release.2
After a TURP procedure
The TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) procedure can help relieve bladder obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Nerves along the urethra also signal to the penis to become erect for sexual activity. Damage to these nerves can also cause erectile dysfunction (ED).9
Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
References
- Abrams P, Andersson KE, Birder L, et al. Fourth International Consultation on Incontinence recommendations of the International Scientific Committee: evaluation and treatment of urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence. Neurourol Urodyn. 2010;29(1):213-40.
- Data on file. Based on market research by Dymedex.
- Linder BJ, Rivera ME, Ziegelmann MJ, et al. Long-term outcomes following artificial urinary sphincter placement: an analysis of 1082 cases at Mayo clinic. Urology. 2015 Sep;86(3):602-7.
- Cooperberg MR, Master VA, Carroll PR. Health related quality of life significance of single pad urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy. J Urol. 2003 Aug;170(2 Pt 1):512-5.
- American Cancer Society. Surgery for prostate cancer. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/prostate-cancer-treating-surgery. Accessed June 2024.
- Ficarra V, Novara G, Rosen RC, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting urinary continence recovery after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2012 Sep;62(3):405-17.
- Types of Urinary Incontinence. WebMD Website. http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/types-of-urinary-incontinence. Accessed June 2024.
- Urethral Trauma. Urology Care Foundation Website. http://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/urethral-trauma. Accessed June 2024.
- Gacci M, Eardley I, Giuliano F, et al. Critical analysis of the relationship between sexual dysfunctions and lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Eur Urol. 2011 Oct;60(4):809-25.