Men’s Pelvic Health

1 in 10 men may experience continence or pelvic floor issues during their lifetime

Many men may suffer from urinary incontinence following prostatectomy surgery, which can be cured by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles correctly.

16% of men over 18 can suffer from an overactive bladder

Erectile dysfunction affects more than: –

• 20% of men under 40 years of age
• 50% of men over 40 years of age
• 66% of men over 70 years of age

Prostate cancer related issues: –

• Pre-operative prostatectomy motor learning program
• Post-operative prostatectomy rehabilitation program

Incontinence Issues: –

• Stress, Frequency and Urgency
• Bladder training for irritable bladder syndrome
• Urinary urgency problems
• Post Micturition Dribble

Pelvic Floor Function: –

• Erectile Dysfunction
• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

How can we help you?

• Full assessment and diagnosis of these conditions
• Individualised advice and treatment including: –
  1. – Progressive pelvic floor muscle re-training
  2. – Real-time Ultrasound imaging
  3. – Muscle stimulation
  4. – Bladder training and acupuncture for overactive bladder
  5. – Manual therapy for Pelvic floor and Coccyx pain
  6. – Rehabilitation following prostate surgery and urology procedures

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed male cancer. It has a higher prevalence in men then breast cancer does in women.

The prostate gland is a walnut sized gland, which is located at the very base of the bladder.

One of the treatment options for prostate cancer is radical prostatectomy, complete surgical removal of the gland. This is a very successful way of eradicating the cancer but it can lead to long-term issues of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Men’s Health Treatment Information

Prostate Cancer Related Issues

At Taylor Physiotherapy we use Ultrasound Imaging (RTUS) as a biofeedback tool to allow men to visualise the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) moving.

This allows better feedback to more accurately teach the “feel” of a good quality pelvic floor muscle contraction.

Repetition of a high quality contraction is much more likely to produce better outcomes than repetition of a poor contraction.

Once good technique has been perfected we develop a tailored progressive strength program that will promote the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. It is important that the three functions of the pelvic floor are trained in seperate ways : –

1. Strength – developed via a progressive, guided strengthening program
2. Endurance – targets postural control and ability to contract for long period of time
3. Power – the ability to produce a strong contraction quickly

Like all strength programs it is essential to make sure your muscles are being challenged

Ultrasound imaging can show, objectively, how hard you are able to work.

Incontinence Issues

Stress, Urge Incontinence and Frequency of urination are all issues men experience . Irritable Bladder is also not uncommon.

The main focus of treatment is to assess the function of the pelvic floor muscles ensuring the pelvic floor muscle function is optimised.

But we focus on bladder retraining. By utilising both physical, mental and cognitive behavioural strategies we aim to defer the urge to urinate, restore more normal urinary function and settle bladder irritability.

Post micturition dribble (PMD) is what can happen after you have finished urinating and have zipped up and an amount o urine drips out of your penis. The volume of urine leaking out can vary from very small and insignificant to quite large and disabling.

The focus of treatment of PMD is pelvic floor muscle training as well as other strategies we can introduce to help you with management of PMD.