Prostate Health and Men’s Wellness: What You Need to Know
Slow or weak stream? Difficulty getting the flow started or a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying? Sleep disrupted due to frequent night toilet visits? Pain during or after weeing? These are all signs of bladder dysfunction, and for men, the culprit may well be the prostate.
The small walnut sized gland produces fluids that protect and feed sperm cells. It sits below the bladder, around the urethra (the tube from your bladder) and near the rectum.
Prostate health is something important and often overlooked within men’s health. There are 3 main issues that may arise within the male reproductive gland over a lifetime. These include prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate) and Prostate Cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Australia, in which 20,000 men are diagnosed each year. Not all men diagnosed experience symptoms prior to diagnosis, and therefore, it is important that all men are checked to start at 50 or as early as 40 if they are high risk.
A common treatment for prostate cancer is a prostatectomy or removal of the prostate. The most common side effects of surgery include bladder incontinence and erectile dysfunction, which occur as a result of structural changes to bladder supports and the nerves impacted by the removal of the prostate.
How Physiotherapy Supports Prostate Surgery Recovery?
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is an important part of the preparation for and recovery after prostate removal. Whilst most men are not aware of their existence, men, too, have pelvic floor muscles, and they play a significant role in the recovery of bladder control following surgery. Men are seen prior to their surgery to learn how and when to activate their pelvic floor muscles and for education regarding the optimisation of recovery following surgery.
When should I see my GP/Pelvic physio about this?
Enlargement or growth of the prostate with age is common; however, the precise reason for this growth is unknown. Enlargement can, and often does occur in the absence of cancer, however if you have any signs of voiding dysfunction it is recommended that you consult your GP. As the gland grows larger, it squeezes tighter around the urethra. This can result in more difficulty emptying the bladder, with more obvious symptoms for some men than others. Common signs of an enlarged prostate include:
- Difficulty starting urinary flow.
- A weak, slow or stop/start stream.
- A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying and/or a need to return to the toilet soon after your last void.
- Dribbling urine, especially after voiding.
- An increased frequency of urination, often accompanied by a sudden strong desire to void.
- Increased night toilet visits.
- Blood in the urine.
Treatment of an enlarged prostate can include conservative strategies, medication and, in some cases, surgery. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can assist in improving your bladder function through a range of strategies, including fluid modification and relaxed voiding techniques, and ensure good bowel health.
Don’t let your prostate health concerns hold you back – take the first step towards better health today. Contact us to book an appointment with our experienced team and start your journey to recovery and wellness!
