Radiotherapy side effects prostate

Hi my husband had 19 day's of radiotherapy to his prostate April 2025. He urinates frequently and on occasion urgency resulting in not making the toilet on time. Also he can't push his urine out he just has to wait as it trickles out. His bowel movements have changed ie constipation or uncomfortable when he sits down. For the first time today he had a slight stomach cramp and didn't quite make the toilet and passed a slimy , mucous stool. He does not feel unwell. Is this the normal effects of radiotherapy? His bowel often feels uncomfortable we think it could be piles as occasionally has blood its not painful to sit just feels like he's sat on something and not all the time. Your advice would be helpful. Thank you, 

Jane (wife)

Also his sleep is disturbed as he needs to urinates 2-3 times during the night sometimes just a small amount. 

  • Hello and thanks for your enquiry,

    I am sorry to hear about the ongoing symptoms. Sometimes radiotherapy can cause inflammation of the bowel which can affect bowel function. Adjusting the type of fibre in every day diet can help with this. Such as reducing bran and high fibre to lower fibre such as trying more oats, and cooked vegetables.

    It would be sensible to ask the GP about this. They can prescribe medication to help with the urine flow. The GP might suggest that the hospital specialist does a re assessment and reviews these symptoms again, in light of the ongoing symptoms.

    I hope that you are able to get help with this soon,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

  • Thank you we'll speak to his team for further help

    Jane