The problem
- Accidental leaking of urine during coughing / laughing / lifting (stress incontinence)
- Unbearable urge to urinate which can cause urine to leak out (urge incontinence)
- Leaking after urinating (post-micturition dribble)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Prostate Cancer
Interesting facts
- In a recent study men were found to be exceptionally poor at recruiting their pelvic floor muscles by being verbally instructed or by being shown a DVD as to how to achieve this
- New research is showing that men learn how to recruit their pelvic floor muscles much more effectively using non invasive real time ultrasound scanning techniques
- Performing regular pelvic floor muscles can enhance male sexual performance.
- Mediterranean diets have been shown to have dramatic effects in prostate cancer patients.
What you can expect/look out for
- Changes in pelvic floor muscle strength are often slow as it takes time to develop strength in any muscle
- If you have early prostate cancer and your urologist suggests a prostatectomy, seeing a men’s health physio before surgery may help you to recover bladder control and sexual function faster post operatively.
Hints for self-management
- Do not limit your fluid intake to cope with your incontinence. Try to continue to drink 1.5 –2l fluid per day
- Look after your bowels. Constipation has been known to lead to urinary incontinence.
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol as both have a diuretic effect (make you go more often)
- Try to limit yourself to 4-6 trips to the toilet per day
- Learn isolated pelvic floor exercises. These can be difficult to learn in the early stages and an experienced physiotherapist will be able to guide you as to the best activation strategies. test
Management Options
- Monitor your PSA (blood test) every year over the age of 50. But don’t rely on the PSA score alone.
- PSA and digital rectal examination by a GP/Urologist together are much more effective in diagnosing prostate cancer.
- If you are having problems, discuss them openly with your health practitioner
- Many people are around to help you including: GP; urologist; men’s health physio; nurse continence advisor; counsellor; psychologist; and sex therapists
More Information
- Continence Foundation of Australia website www.continence.org.au
- PCFA website www.prostate.org.au
- www.yourpelvicfloor.co.uk
- http://cancer.about.com/od/prostatecancer/p/DRErectalexam.htm
References
- PAREKH, A The Role of Pelvic Floor Exercises on Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence The Journal of Urology, Volume 170, Issue 1, Pages 130-133
- CLINTON, C Pelvic floor muscle function following radiation therapy for prostate cancer: A preliminary exploration using real time ultrasound imaging Aus and NZ Continence Journal (15)4 108
At Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions our highly qualified physiotherapists specialise in the assessment, treatment and prevention of neuromusculoskeletal injuries as well as Men’s health issues.
Contact us today – 9252 5770
This handout was prepared by Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions and is intended as a general information service. Please note that the information provided is not intended as a substitute for advice from a registered physician or healthcare professional. If symptoms persist, please consult your doctor.
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