Urinary incontinence, or the involuntary loss of bladder control, is challenging and often distressing and can significantly impact your quality of life.
It’s commonly associated with aging, childbirth, high-impact sports, and certain surgeries. However, you may be wondering, can chemotherapy cause urinary problems? Research shows that there is a relationship between chemotherapy, cancer, and urinary incontinence, direct or indirect.
Can Chemotherapy Cause Urinary Problems?
Yes, when treating cancer, your body undergoes a great deal of trauma. An increase in urinary incontinence could result from nerve damage, bladder stress, and hormonal changes.
Not only can chemotherapy cause urinary problems, but other types of cancer treatments can do so
the same.
- Radiation can also cause nerve damage and bladder stress, which can lead to urinary incontinence.
- Endocrine therapy can cause hormonal changes.
- Surgery can also weaken your muscles, causing incontinence. This can be dependent on where the surgery is being done.
- Treatments can also lead to secondary effects such as fatigue, weakness, and mobility issues.
These factors can indirectly contribute to urinary incontinence, and you may find it difficult to reach the bathroom in time or manage continence effectively. While cancer treatments and chemotherapy cause urinary problems, learn more about how to manage urinary incontinence from cancer treatments.