Yes, men have pelvic floor muscles too!
Men’s health problems that affect the bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction can be very emotional and distressing. Our men’s pelvic floor Physiotherapy team are passionate about helping men that have been diagnosed with prostate cancer or dealing with incontinence and pelvic health disorders.
Our Physiotherapists provide assessment and treatment of:
Bladder dysfunction:
- Urinary leakage
- Urinary frequency and urgency
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Straining to empty bladder
Bowel dysfunction:
- Straining to empty bowels
- Bowel urgency
- Inability to control wind
- Leakage
Prostate surgery (pre and post-operative):
It is common for men to experience bladder leakage post-prostate surgery, as the bladder control mechanism can be impaired. The pelvic floor muscles surrounding this area can be strengthened to help compensate for this loss. Evidence has shown that starting pelvic floor muscle exercise training pre-surgery and continuing post-surgery can improve urinary leakage. Your prognosis for regaining urinary continence in the first 12 months is strong and can be improved by optimising your breathing and pelvic floor function. Ideally, the Physiotherapist would do an initial assessment pre-operatively to optimise your pelvic floor function and provide education on early post-operative care. We would then assess your post-operative function one week after the urinary catheter has been removed post-surgery.
Symptoms post prostate surgery may include:
- Urinary leakage with changing positions, coughing, sneezing, lifting or other activities where there is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.
- Erectile dysfunction
- Bowel dysfunction
How can Physiotherapy help, and what will the appointment involve?
The initial consultation is a 50-minute appointment where the Physiotherapist will take a detailed history of any current issues and ask questions regarding bladder, bowel, sexual intercourse, and surgical history.
Education based on the answers is a large component of these appointments. The Physiotherapist will advise what other assessments are needed, which may include a bladder/bowel diary or external assessment of the muscles of your core and pelvis. Our Physiotherapists are also trained in the use of diagnostic transperineal ultrasound, which can be used to visualise the muscles of the pelvic floor in real-time to aid in your rehabilitation.
During this assessment, the Physiotherapist will establish your goals and a treatment plan. A personalised pelvic floor muscle exercise program, with functional training, may be given to help you reach your daily and training goals.
Do I need a referral to see a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist?
No, a referral is not needed.
Medicare rebates are available if eligible for Chronic Disease Management (CDM) assistance. If you have been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition and require complex care, your GP can provide you with this particular referral form.
Physiotherapy treatment rebates are available through most private health insurance funds. We support this and have HICAPS facilities to claim this rebate.