Men, you do have a pelvic floor too and it can contribute to many frustrating symptoms. The pelvic floor muscles are like a hammock that sits at the bottom of the pelvis. The muscles extend from the pubic bone at the front to the tail bone at the back. They have a role in bladder control, bowel control and sexual function. If the pelvic floor is not functioning optimally, it can affect one or all three of these areas:

Bladder problems

• Urinary leakage
• Slow urine flow
• Difficulty starting the flow of urine
• Urinary urgency
• Urinary frequency

Bowel problems

• Bowel incontinence
• Not able to hold wind in
• Inability to empty the bowel
• Constipation
• Urgency

Pelvic pain

• Prostatitis
• Pudendal neuralgia
• Chronic pelvic pain

How can we help? Our expert pelvic health physiotherapists can help to restore optimal functioning of the pelvic floor via manual therapy, muscle strengthening, stretching and relaxation. We will also ensure the muscles surrounding the pelvis are optimized as often these can affect the function of the pelvic floor. Depending on what you need help with, our physiotherapists may help you with bladder or bowel training to help you achieve your goals.

Pre and post prostatectomy

Pelvic health physiotherapists can assist men in regaining both sexual function and continence post prostatectomy. Prostate cancer is a difficult journey both emotionally and physically for men and their family.

Pelvic health physiotherapy can help to reduce the often-distressing symptoms of incontinence post prostatectomy. It is expected that there will be urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. This can last for only a few weeks or be more severe and last for up to a year. Having an assessment prior to your operation can help to significantly reduce the time you experience incontinence post operatively.

Pelvic floor physiotherapists can help to improve pelvic floor function and penile health, assisting with the return of normal erectile function. This is achieved by pelvic floor muscle optimization and the use of vacuum pumps. Our pelvic health physiotherapists can help to advise you on the use of vacuum pumps which enable erections to occur, and if used correctly prevent shortening and fibrosis.

Contact us or make an appointment with Dea, Kelly or Amy, our men’s health experts.