Tips for coping with bladder or bowel changes

If you have problems with leaking (incontinence) from your bladder or bowel control, it can make the skin in that area sore.

You can protect your skin by keeping it clean and dry. There are lots of products available to help you. Your continence adviser can give you more information.

Here are some suggestions to help keep your skin clean and dry:

• Use a skin cleanser instead of soap and water.
• Try not to scratch if your skin is itchy, but if you do sometimes scratch it is best to keep your nails short to help prevent damage to your skin.
• Use absorbent incontinence pads.
• Wear cotton underwear, as it lets your skin breathe more than other materials.

If you have problems with leakage or soiling (incontinence), there are different products that can help. These can help you feel more confident and protect your clothes. A continence adviser can help you choose products that suit your needs.

You can buy pads for mild to moderate incontinence in most supermarkets and pharmacies and online. If these are not absorbent enough, you can get different pads from your continence adviser. They can also explain what is available to you on the NHS. This will depend on where you live. The Bladder and Bowel Community also has information about different products.

Problems with leakage or soiling can mean you have extra expenses. Call Macmillan on 0808 808 00 00 to find out more about ways to help cover the cost.

Pads and pull-ups have a layer that absorbs urine (pee), so your skin stays dry. Some are made to go inside your underwear and others are worn instead of underwear. You can also buy pads to cover your bed. It is best to avoid using sanitary pads, because they are made differently. Sanitary pads stay damp, which means the urine can make your skin sore.

Having a urine bottle near your bed may help you get a better night’s sleep. You will not have to walk to the toilet every time you need to go. If you are worried about getting to the toilet in time during the day, keep the bottle nearby. You may want to keep one in your car.

Urinary sheaths

A urinary sheath fits over the penis like a condom. It has a self-adhesive strip to keep it in place. The sheath has an outlet which you connect to a bag to collect urine. You strap the bag to your leg. You can buy underwear with a built-in pocket to hold the bag. Your continence adviser can help you choose products and show you how to use them.

There are different types of pad you can wear during the day and at night. Pads and pants with charcoal linings may help to reduce smell from leakage or wind. There are also different types of pad you can use to cover your bed or chairs.

Anal inserts or anal plugs can be placed into the anus or put into the back passage to help contain leakage or soiling. Some people might find them helpful. But it is important to get advice from your specialist cancer nurse or an incontinence nurse before using them. They can give you advice on the best product for you and where to get these.

Bladder and Bowel UK have advice on where to get information about different continence products. You can find out more about companies who supply continence products on Disabled Living’s directory.

Keeping active will help you manage your weight and avoid constipation. This is important to help look after your pelvic floor muscles. Exercise also helps you feel better and can reduce stress.

If you have stress incontinence, anything that involves running or jumping may cause leakage. Your healthcare specialist can advise on things that can help. For example, they may suggest building up the distance you run, or the intensity of exercises. You may want to use a product, such as an incontinence pad, during these exercises to begin with.

Walking or swimming are lower-impact and are less likely to cause problems. Your specialist may be able to suggest suitable exercise for you.

If you have been advised to do pelvic floor exercises, it is important to keep doing these regularly. This can also help you gain more control over your bladder and bowel movements.

If you have a stoma, you should not play contact sports, but you can play other sports. Ask your stoma nurse if you are not sure what you can do.

Try to drink at least 1 to 2 litres (2 to 3½ pints) of fluids a day. If it is hot or if you are exercising, you will need to drink more than this. It is best to drink regularly throughout the day.

Not drinking enough could make bladder problems worse. Concentrated urine irritates the bladder. Drinking more fluids will help to:

• reduce bladder irritation
• train your bladder to hold more urine
• reduce your risk of getting urine infections.

If you go to the toilet as a precaution, your bladder will not get used to holding more urine.

Smoking or vaping can make bladder or bowel problems worse. This is because the chemicals in smoke from cigarettes and e-cigarettes stimulate the bowel, and irritate and damage the lining of the bladder.

Smoking or vaping can also make you cough more. Coughing may make you more likely to leak urine. Smoking is also a major risk factor for cancer and other serious health conditions.

If you smoke or vape, talk to your GP about getting help to stop.

Macmillan is here to support you. If you would like to talk, you can do the following:

• Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.
• Chat to our specialists online.
• Visit our cancer treatment forum to talk with people who have had cancer treatment, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.