Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, and prostate surgery is often used to remove the cancerous tissue. While the surgery can be life-saving, it can also cause some side effects, including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. According to some studies, up to 40% of men experience incontinence after surgery. These side effects can have a significant impact on your quality of life. However, there is hope for men who experience urinary incontinence after prostate surgery: pelvic floor physical therapy.
Why am I still leaking?
The recovery process after prostate surgery can vary from person to person. Some men may experience urinary incontinence for a few weeks or months after surgery, while others may experience it for a longer period. The severity of urinary incontinence can also vary, from just a few drops of urine leakage to a complete inability to control the flow of urine.
Healing can create inflammation and muscle weakness.
After your surgeon removes your prostate, the healing process creates inflammation and weakness in your pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor muscles are the muscles that support the bladder, rectum, and urethra. In men, these muscles are also responsible for controlling the flow of urine and semen. Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to urinary incontinence.
Weak pelvic floor muscles can also be tight.
Research shows that if you continue to have bladder leakage after prostate surgery, it is typically due to overactive pelvic muscles and a regular kegel or pelvic floor strengthening program is not enough for you. You need an individualized assessment and treatment program to improve control of your bladder.
Regain Control of Your Bladder
With pelvic floor physical therapy, men can improve their urinary incontinence and regain control over their bladder. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help men improve the flexibility and strength of their pelvic muscles and improve their ability to control the flow of urine.
Post-prostatectomy pelvic floor physical therapy treatment
Pelvic floor physical therapy for male urinary incontinence involves several types of treatments, including core strengthening, pelvic floor strengthening, stretching, and scar mobilization. Core strengthening exercises help improve the strength and stability of the muscles in the abdomen and back, which can help support the pelvic floor muscles. Strengthening exercises focus specifically on the muscles in the pelvic floor and can help improve the ability to control the flow of urine.
Scar Mobilization
Scar mobilization involves massage or manipulation of the scar tissue that may have formed after prostate surgery. Additionally, scar mobilization can help improve mobility and reduce pain in the area around the surgical site. Pelvic and abdominal fascia can sometimes be tight and create difficulties with pelvic pain, erectile dysfunction, or bladder leakage. Pelvic PT manual techniques can help to normalize these tissues and restore function.
What about erectile dysfunction?
In addition to urinary incontinence, many men also experience erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery. Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction can also have a significant impact on a man’s quality of life.
There are treatments available
Fortunately, there are also treatments available for erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery. These treatments can include medication, penile injections, and vacuum devices. In some cases, surgery may also be an option.
Communication with your healthcare provider is key
It is important for men to talk to their healthcare provider, such as their surgeon or urologist about their options for treating both urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery. Your doctor can provide information about the different treatments available, as well as their benefits and potential side effects.
Exercise after prostate surgery
For men who experience urinary incontinence after prostate surgery, the thought of returning to exercise or other meaningful activities may seem daunting. However, with pelvic floor physical therapy, men can regain control over their bladder and feel confident in their ability to participate in physical activities.
Preparing before surgery
If you are scheduled for a prostatectomy, it is beneficial to start practicing pelvic floor exercises for coordination, flexibility, and strength. It is also a good time to establish care with a pelvic floor physical therapist who can help you feel confident in your techniques to minimize recovery time and maximize benefits. Research shows that seeing a pelvic PT pre-operatively significantly decreases your chances of having incontinence afterward.
There is help for incontinence after prostate surgery
While the recovery process after prostate surgery can be challenging, it is important for men to know that there are treatments available to help them manage urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. With the help of their healthcare provider and pelvic floor physical therapy, men can feel dry again and return to the activities they enjoy.
Don’t go it alone. Contact Dr. Hope for a physical therapy assessment to see what kind of pelvic floor exercise is right for you.
Dr. Hope has extensive experience with helping men fix their urinary incontinence after prostate surgery.
To schedule an initial assessment or free 30-minute consultation, you can send an email to DrHope@restorehopept.com.