Can Cervical Cancer Cause Urinary Problems?

Cervical cancer is a serious diagnosis, and undergoing treatment can bring about a range of physical and emotional challenges.

One of the potential complications women may face is urinary incontinence or the involuntary loss of bladder control. This can be a distressing symptom, but understanding the causes and available treatments can empower you to take control of your health and well-being.

Depending on the stage of cervical cancer, it may lead to incontinence. Early-stage cervical cancer cannot directly cause incontinence. However, advanced-stage cervical cancer can lead to incontinence. It may be due to:

• Abnormal connection between the bladder and vagina, called a fistula.
• Mass effect on the bladder.
• Nerve damage.

Symptoms of incontinence include:

• Frequent urination.
• Urinary urgency.
• Urine leakage when coughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects, or exercising.

If you're experiencing symptoms of incontinence, it's essential that you speak with your healthcare provider to diagnose your condition properly and manage it.

The type of incontinence you may develop will depend on the treatment you receive for cervical cancer. You may develop:

• Overactive bladder / urge incontinence: Feeling the sudden and intense urge to urinate and voiding your bladder more frequently than usual. This can occur after radiation treatment.
• Stress incontinence: Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects, or exercising due to weakened pelvic floor muscles.
• Overflow incontinence: Being unable to empty the bladder completely, leading to dripping urine.
• Urinary retention: Having difficulty emptying your bladder, which can occur after a radical hysterectomy.

Pelvic surgery can contribute to incontinence. When you have surgery, your anatomy changes, so the support around the urethra and bladder may change, which can lead to incontinence.

Those who undergo a radical hysterectomy may be at greater risk for developing incontinence. Because of how this surgery is done, more nerves may be impacted than in a non-cancer-related hysterectomy. This can lead to difficulties in sensing the need to empty your bladder or difficulty emptying the bladder. 

Radiation therapy can cause radiation cystitis. Radiation therapy impacts not only tissue impacted by cancer but also healthy tissue, which can impact pelvic floor muscle function.

Depending on how much radiation therapy you receive, it can cause symptoms like:

• Blood in urine.
• Urinary frequency and urgency.
• Incontinence
• Painful urination.

Long-term effects of radiation on the pelvic floor muscles and bladder include:

• Muscle weakness and dysfunction.
• Radiation fibrosis (scarring).
• Reduced bladder capacity.

Incontinence treatment depends on a few factors, such as what the underlying cause of your incontinence is, the stage of your cancer, and your general health. Discussing your situation with your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan is crucial.

Some common treatment options may include:

• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to correct anatomical abnormalities, repair fistulas, or improve bladder support. The type of surgery will vary depending on the specific cause of your incontinence.
• Intermittent self-catheterization: If you have difficulty emptying your bladder completely, your provider may recommend intermittent self-catheterization. This involves inserting a thin, flexible tube into your urethra to drain your bladder regularly.

These tips can help you manage incontinence symptoms and improve your quality of life:

• Dietary changes: Certain foods and drinks can irritate the bladder and worsen incontinence symptoms. These may include caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, acidic foods (like citrus fruits and tomatoes), and spicy foods. Try eliminating these from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.
• Fluid management: While it may seem counterintuitive, drinking too little fluid can actually concentrate your urine and irritate your bladder. Aim to drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated, but avoid drinking large amounts of fluid close to bedtime to reduce nighttime bathroom trips.
• Smoking cessation: Smoking can irritate the bladder and trigger coughing, which can worsen stress incontinence. Quitting smoking is beneficial for your overall health and can also improve bladder control.
• Bowel regularity: Constipation can put pressure on your bladder and contribute to incontinence. Eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising regularly can help prevent constipation.

Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and urethra. However, you sould check with your healthcare provider first to ensure that pelvic floor muscle exercises will improve your incontinence symptoms (if you have urinary retention, it may not help symptoms). To perform Kegels, squeeze the muscles you would use to stop the flow of urine. Hold the contraction for a few seconds, then relax.

Aim for three sets of 10 repetitions each day. Your healthcare provider or a pelvic floor physical therapist can help you learn the correct technique.

Several medications are available to treat different types of incontinence.

• Anticholinergics: These medications can help relax the bladder muscle and reduce urgency and frequency.
• Mirabegron: This medication relaxes the bladder muscle and can increase the amount of urine your bladder can hold.

It's important to discuss the potential benefits and side effects of any medication with your provider.

A variety of incontinence products are available to help manage incontinence, including:

• Bladder control pads: These provide absorbency to protect your clothing and manage leaks.
• Adult pull-ons: These are designed to look and feel like regular underwear but offer greater absorbency.
• Catheters: If other treatments are ineffective, your doctor may recommend using a catheter to drain your bladder.

You may be able to receive free incontinence products through your insurance and Aeroflow Urology! Check your coverage with our Eligibility Form today.

Remember that managing incontinence is often an ongoing process. Be patient with yourself, and don't hesitate to contact your healthcare team for support and guidance.

Disclaimer

Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to incontinence.