Prostate surgery, such as a radical prostatectomy, can be life-saving and life-changing. But for many men, one of the most frustrating side effects is urinary leakage. It can feel embarrassing, isolating, or even make you avoid social activities, sport, or intimacy.

Here’s the truth: you’re not alone, and you’re not broken. Leakage after prostate surgery is common and with the right support, it can get better.

Why Leakage Happens After Prostate Surgery

The prostate sits just below the bladder and helps control urination. During surgery:

The sphincter muscles and nerves can be affected.
The pelvic floor muscles may weaken or lose coordination.
The bladder may take time to adapt to changes.

As a result, many men experience stress incontinence (leaking when coughing, lifting, or exercising) or urgency (a sudden, hard-to-control need to go).

How Common Is It?

Studies show that:

Most men experience some degree of leakage immediately after surgery.
The majority improve significantly within the first 6–12 months.
A smaller percentage may need ongoing support but improvement is still possible with the right strategies.

What You Can Do to Recover

1. Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Evidence-based guidelines recommend pelvic floor muscle training as a first-line treatment for post-prostatectomy incontinence.
A physiotherapist can:

Teach correct pelvic floor activation (it’s not just squeezing!)
Help you relax overactive muscles (yes, tightness can also cause leaks)
Use tools like biofeedback or ultrasound for precision
Integrate exercises into daily activities (lifting, walking, sport)

2. Bladder Training

Learning to manage urgency and gradually increase bladder capacity
Avoiding “just in case” trips to the toilet

3. Lifestyle Tweaks

Managing weight, caffeine, and constipation to reduce pressure on the bladder
Choosing supportive pads during recovery without shame, they are a tool, not a failure

4. Medical Support

If leakage persists, options include medications, injections, or (in some cases) surgical solutions such as slings or artificial sphincters.

The Emotional Side

Many men describe leakage as not just a physical issue but an emotional one affecting confidence, identity, and intimacy. You are not broken. With the right care, recovery is possible, and support exists at every step.

Leaking after prostate surgery is common, but it’s not something you have to accept as permanent. With pelvic health physiotherapy, bladder training, and lifestyle strategies, most men see significant improvement. You deserve to live with confidence again.

✨ Still leaking after prostate surgery? Book your appointment with our men’s pelvic health physiotherapists at Renard Clinic and start your recovery with expert, evidence-based care.