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Alcohol and incontinence

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User
Posted 27 Dec 2025 at 18:26

I am 5 weeks post surgery. Recovery has been going well and continence has been improving loads especially the last 2 weeks. 

Over the Xmas period I have had a few drinks - wine and beer and have leaked more and it has definately affected the continence. It must be the alcohol. 

is this common for alcohol to make continence worse and does this improve with time?

User
Posted 28 Dec 2025 at 10:59
Yes it is! 2 years after my surgery I thought I was completely continent, 1 bottle of red wine later I found out I wasn't!

10 years later I am pretty reliable even after wine!
User
Posted 30 Dec 2025 at 15:32

Sauvignon blanc is a better option. I found on the booze that I leaked a bit too with mostly beer….  fine one my first big sesh at week 12 with the lads although I didn’t push the bladder capacity too much. I also found beer risked an accident at night so switched to wine fully and never had an issue since. Only negative is it will bankrupt you in pubs….so I used to just have a moderate amount of beer when out. Tee total these days…after supporting the NZ wine economy during the pandemic…. 🤪😵‍💫🤣

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User
Posted 28 Dec 2025 at 10:59
Yes it is! 2 years after my surgery I thought I was completely continent, 1 bottle of red wine later I found out I wasn't!

10 years later I am pretty reliable even after wine!
User
Posted 30 Dec 2025 at 15:32

Sauvignon blanc is a better option. I found on the booze that I leaked a bit too with mostly beer….  fine one my first big sesh at week 12 with the lads although I didn’t push the bladder capacity too much. I also found beer risked an accident at night so switched to wine fully and never had an issue since. Only negative is it will bankrupt you in pubs….so I used to just have a moderate amount of beer when out. Tee total these days…after supporting the NZ wine economy during the pandemic…. 🤪😵‍💫🤣

User
Posted 30 Dec 2025 at 17:11

I'm on a similar timeline to yourself. My RARP was 7 weeks ago tomorrow. Having a drink certainly affects the incontinence, whether that is less control or more urine in the bladder, probably a mix of the two. Two days ago I risked a few beers with mates and probably had 6 small bottles of lager over 3.5 hours visiting 4 or 5 pubs. I used 4 pads just whilst out and went to the toilet loads. Yesterday, I didn't drink, had a one hour walk and a little trip to the supermarket but only used 2 pads throughout the day.


Hope your recovery is quick as I know the frustration!

User
Posted 30 Dec 2025 at 21:29

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member


I'm on a similar timeline to yourself. My RARP was 7 weeks ago tomorrow. Having a drink certainly affects the incontinence, whether that is less control or more urine in the bladder, probably a mix of the two. Two days ago I risked a few beers with mates and probably had 6 small bottles of lager over 3.5 hours visiting 4 or 5 pubs. I used 4 pads just whilst out and went to the toilet loads. Yesterday, I didn't drink, had a one hour walk and a little trip to the supermarket but only used 2 pads throughout the day.


 


 


Hope your recovery is quick as I know the frustration!



 


Very similar Tony. I’m on 1 pad per day but with a few drinks it really does increase it. 
hopefully that improves. 
good luck with your progressions and recovery too. 

 
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