Pelvic health conditions affecting men can be very distressing and are more common than you may realise. Bladder and bowel dysfunction, side effects from prostate surgery, chronic pelvic pain and erectile dysfunction are some of the common pelvic conditions men may suffer from at some stage of life. These conditions will often have a severe impact on ones lifestyle and physical and emotional wellbeing. Pelvic health physiotherapy can often treat these conditions successfully.
Prostate Surgery
Men who undergo prostate surgery are likely to experience a loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence). This is because the bladder control mechanism is impaired following surgery. Pelvic floor muscles can be trained to help compensate for this loss of control. Your pelvic floor physiotherapist will guide you through the correct, individualised exercises for you. It is best if these exercises are started prior to surgery, so a pre-operative appointment is recommended.
Common symptoms following prostate surgery include:
Urine Leakage
Urine leakage occurs following surgery, often with activities that cause an increase in abdominal pressure such as coughing, sneezing, moving from sit to stand and strenuous activities. The amount of urine leakage and the duration for which it continues following prostate surgery will vary between individuals. It is known to improve over time and research shows that pelvic floor exercises can assist with recovery and a return to continence. Improvement is often quicker if pelvic floor exercises are started prior to surgery.
Erectile Dysfunction
Men may experience an inability to form and/or maintain an erection following surgery. It is difficult to predict whether or not an individual will be affected, and also difficult to predict their degree of recovery. Pelvic floor exercises can help improve recovery.
Physiotherapy for Prostate Surgery
Pre-operative Physiotherapy
Research shows that there is a greater improvement in return of bladder control in men who commence pelvic floor exercises prior to surgery. A pre-operative appointment allows you to become familiar with your pelvic floor muscles as correct technique is important when completing pelvic floor exercises. Practicing pelvic floor exercises before surgery allows for an easier rehabilitation.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
A major component of physiotherapy will involve pelvic floor exercises. There are a number of bladder control mechanisms in males, some of which can be impaired following surgery. Pelvic floor muscles can compensate for this loss of control and therefore pelvic floor exercises are an important part of recovery. Each individual will vary in their ability and goals, and so an exercise program will be tailored for each client.
Bladder & Bowel Training
Bladder and bowel control and function is likely to be impaired following surgery. Urine leakage, soiling(bowel incontinence) and increased frequency in small volumes are all common following surgery. This will improve over time, however some retraining of bladder and bowel function is often required.
Return to Regular Activities
Following surgery you will be limited to light activities. No heavy lifting or strenuous exercise is recommended for several weeks. As you and your pelvic floor muscles recover, you can gradually return to your regular activities. Your physiotherapist can guide you through a safe return to activity program.
Bladder Dysfunction
Men may suffer from bladder dysfunction such as incontinence, increased frequency and retention of urine. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can often treat these conditions successfully.
If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms you may benefit from physiotherapy:
- Urine leakage with activities such as coughing, sneezing, sit to stand, heavy lifting
- Urine leakage on the way to the toilet
- Urine leakage when walking away from the toilet after urinating
- Rushing to the toilet with a very strong urge
- Going to the toilet to empty your bladder more than 8 times a day
- Waking more than once at night to empty your bladder
- Slow flow, difficulty starting flow or straining to empty your bladder
- Feeling like you don’t fully empty your bladder
Possible causes of poor bladder function include:
- Poor pelvic floor muscle strength and control
- Enlarged prostate
- Prostate surgery
- Excessive heavy lifting or strenuous activity
- Constipation
- Poor toileting habits
- Obesity
- Neurological conditions
- Medication
Physiotherapy for Bladder Dysfunction
Most bladder problems can be effectively treated with pelvic floor physiotherapy. You can expect the following from a physiotherapy session:
- A thorough assessment will be conducted to determine your bladder and pelvic floor function
- A treatment plan will then be established in accordance with your needs and goals
- Individualized pelvic floor muscle exercise program
- Advice on good bladder habits and training
Bowel Dysfunction
Men may suffer from bowel dysfunction such as constipation or incontinence. These conditions can be very distressing and have a great impact on many aspects of your overall health and well-being. Physiotherapy can often treat bowel dysfunction successfully.If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms you may benefit from physiotherapy:
- Straining to empty bowels
- Hard stools
- Soiling of faeces
- Rushing to the toilet to empty your bowels with a very strong urge
- No sense of an urge to empty bowels
- Accidently passing wind
Possible causes of bowel dysfunction include:
- Constipation
- Poor toileting habits
- Poor diet and/or fluid intake
- Poor pelvic floor muscle function
- Stress and anxiety
Physiotherapy for Bowel Dysfunction
Most bowel problems can be effectively treated with pelvic floor physiotherapy. You can expect the following from a physiotherapy session:
- A thorough assessment will be conducted to determine your bowel and pelvic floor function
- A treatment plan will then be established in accordance with your needs and goals
- Individualized pelvic floor muscle exercise program
- Advice on good bowel habits and training
- Advice on improving stool consistency
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Chronic pelvic pain in men is more common than many realize and can be very debilitating, affecting overall physical and emotional well-being and quality of life. Pelvic floor muscles are often a contributing factor to chronic pelvic pain. Physiotherapy can effectively treat many conditions.
If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms you may benefit from physiotherapy:
- Pain in the pelvic region, including pain in the penis, testes or anus
- Pain with erection or ejaculation
- Pain with a full bladder
Possible causes of chronic pelvic pain:
- Overactive, tense pelvic floor muscles
- Overactive, tense abdominal muscles
- Injury to the pelvic region
- Bladder infection
- Neural injury
- Psychological factors
Physiotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve pelvic floor muscle function and provide effective pain relief and management strategies.
- A thorough assessment will be conducted to determine your overall pelvic floor function (bladder, bowel and erectile function)
- A treatment plan will then be established in accordance with your needs and goals
- Individualized pelvic floor muscle exercise program
- Pain education and advice on management strategies
- Liaison with other health professionals in relation to your condition/s
Erectile Dysfunction
Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection is more common than many realize and can affect men of any age. Erectile dysfunction can severely impact on ones self-esteem, relationships and overall quality of life. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can often improve erectile function.
If you experience any of the following you may benefit from physiotherapy:
- Difficulty achieving an erection
- Difficulty maintaining an erection
- Erections that can not achieve penetration
Possible causes of erectile dysfunction:
- Poor pelvic floor muscle function
- Some types of surgery (e.g. prostate surgery)
- Neurological conditions
- Psychological conditions
Physiotherapy for Erectile Dysfunction
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy can assist with erectile dysfunction as strong pelvic floor muscles are associated with better function.
- A thorough assessment will be conducted to determine your overall pelvic floor function (bladder, bowel and erectile function)
- A treatment plan will then be established in accordance with your needs and goals
- Individualized pelvic floor muscle exercise program
- Pain education and advice on management strategies
- Liaison with other health professionals in relation to your condition/s
