‘You in Urology’ is intended for people living with urological conditions (including bladder cancer, prostate cancer and overactive bladder) and their caregivers. The information provided by Astellas is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
This website was initiated and funded by Astellas Pharma Europe. All patient and healthcare organisations involved in the development of the platform received a fee for their time.
Your bladder is the organ that stores urine.1 Urinary continence means being able to keep the water (urine) in your bladder until you need to pee. Urinary incontinence is peeing when you don’t mean to and when it doesn’t suit you to go to the toilet.2,3 This is sometimes called ‘bladder leakage’. Millions of people around the world live with urinary incontinence, and there are many causes.2
Even though it is so common, we don’t talk about urinary incontinence enough. The good news is that for most people, there are options including treatments to help them.
Talking about urine can feel awkward. But if you don’t talk about it, people may not know you need support. Asking questions about urinary continence also helps you feel informed about any treatment options you are considering.
Urological conditions are health problems affecting the parts of men’s and women’s bodies involved in making and passing urine, or the male reproductive organs.4 Some people with these conditions are more likely to have urinary incontinence. This includes overactive bladder (OAB), bladder cancer and prostate cancer.2,5,6 However, the reasons can be quite different.
OAB is a chronic condition in which a person regularly has a sudden and compelling urge to pee. This is because the bladder muscles squeeze suddenly for unknown reasons.7 This makes you need to pee even when your bladder isn’t full.8 You might also wake up during the night to pee (called “nocturia”). The need to pee can be so urgent that the bladder empties before you reach a toilet and you wet yourself.7 It is estimated that around 1 in 5 people have symptoms of OAB.9
Prostate cancer is when cancer cells develop in the prostate. It only affects men and other people assigned male at birth. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It sits under the bladder, around the tube that connects the bladder and testicles to the penis (called the urethra).10
Following some treatments, up to 60% of people with prostate cancer report dripping or no urinary control.11 This is usually an effect of their cancer treatment.12 Some treatments or surgeries are more likely to cause urinary incontinence than others.11 Some surgical techniques can improve urinary continence recovery.13
Surgery to remove the prostate is called prostatectomy.14 It can sometimes affect the parts of the body that control urinary continence.15 It is more likely to cause urinary incontinence than other treatments.11
Bladder cancer is when cancer cells develop in the lining of the bladder. Sometimes the cancer also spreads to the bladder muscle.16
Bladder cancer can make you need to pee more urgently and frequently.17 Some types of treatment for bladder cancer may lead to urinary incontinence.5
For example, one treatment option is surgery to remove the bladder. Nearby affected tissue is also removed.18 This is called ‘radical cystectomy’.18 This is followed by a procedure called ‘urinary diversion’.18 This creates an alternative system for removing urine from the body.18 There are different types of urinary diversion. Some divert the urine into a pouch outside the body.18 Another method creates a new bladder inside the body.18 This is called a ‘neobladder’.18,19 This method can sometimes cause urinary incontinence, but it can be managed.20 One year after surgery, around 15% of people still have urinary incontinence during the day and 38% at night.19
For some women who have an orthotopic neobladder (bladder reconstruction), hypercontinence can also happen. This means having trouble peeing or fully emptying the bladder.21
We understand that excessive peeing, or peeing when you don’t mean to, can have a big impact on your life.
For some people, living with urinary continence can make them:
Many people find it difficult to talk openly about urinary continence. Urinary incontinence is often misunderstood.
Remember, urinary incontinence is a health issue. It affects millions of people of all ages and backgrounds.24 It is nothing to be ashamed of. If you are experiencing this, know that you are not alone.
Your care should centre around you. If urinary incontinence is affecting your life, there are options including treatment to help you live well. We hope these resources will help you to speak more openly about it and ask for the help you need.
Every approach has benefits and risks that should be carefully considered with your healthcare team. The best option for you will depend on many factors. This could include your symptoms, stage of disease and personal preferences.
What's most important is that you are fully informed of all your options. And that you are supported to manage the impacts on your life. You should feel empowered to ask further questions and reassured that you have received the answers you need.
Patient organisations and the European Association of Urology (EAU) Patient Office provide many resources across a range of topics to support people with urological conditions.
Please note: The following links will take you to websites that are not owned or controlled by Astellas. Astellas is not responsible for the information or services on these sites. Astellas is not affiliated with and does not endorse any specific patient or healthcare organisation.
MAT-GB-NON-2025-00403 May 2026
