We thought it would be a good idea, given that it’s Men’s Health week, to provide an outline of the range of conditions we can help with, so that you or the men in your life can get access to the right help when they need it.
Men are often too embarrassed to seek help about some of their most private issues, but men’s health matters! Men are missing out and suffering because they don’t know what help is available, or where to go. Society is slowly becoming more comfortable talking about women’s health and issues such as prolapse, incontinence , vaginal pain – but we don’t hear talk of penis or prostate health very often!
If you or your loved ones are having issues it’s a good idea to talk to your GP first for a general check-up, but let’s look at what we can help with.
- Bladder problems – having to go the toilet often or needing to rush to get there, leaking urine, waking at night to empty the bladder, bladder pain
- Bowel issues – leakage from the bowel, urgency to get to the toilet, constipation or needing to strain, feelings of not fully emptying
- Pelvic and sexual pain – pain in the genital region, lower abdominal pain, pain during or after sexual activity, pelvic pain associated with bike riding
- Rehabilitation after prostate surgery – most men experience significant issues with bladder leakage and erectile dysfunction after removal of the prostate. Pelvic health physiotherapy can make a big difference to quality of life.Hw
What can go wrong with the pelvic floor muscles?
Normally the pelvic floor is strong enough to help hold on with the bladder and bowel and coordinated so that it releases at the right time to allow emptying. Sometimes the tone in the pelvic floor muscles changes, and becomes the source of problems. Dysfunctional pelvic floor muscles may be high tone or low tone. Pelvic health physiotherapists have extra skills and training to help deal with these issues.
- Low tone pelvic floor muscles
- This can mean the muscles are weak and lengthened
- You may experience problems such as
- bladder leakage
- urgency to get to the toilet
- not making it to the toilet in time and having an accident
- High tone pelvic floor muscles
- This can mean the muscles are short and tight, but they are not necessarily strong
- You may experience problems such as
- pelvic and genital pain
- difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel
- sexual pain and dysfunction
What can you expect at your first appointment?
The first session is an hour so we can carry out a thorough assessment, educate you on what we believe is happening and how we can help. We set up a tailored treatment plan to help you meet your goals. There is a focus on self-help management, with follow-up appointments as required.
We understand that these issues can be embarrassing, and difficult to talk about. We are used to discussing these issues though, and will do everything we can to help make you feel at ease.
Further information:
Men have a pelvic floor too – find out where the pelvic floor muscles are, what their function is, and what can go wrong https://www.pelvicphysio.co.nz/men-have-a-pelvic-floor-too/
Prostate cancer – signs, symptoms and risk factors – information on what to look out for https://www.pelvicphysio.co.nz/prostate-cancer-signs-symptoms-risk-factors/
Why you should see a pelvic health physiotherapist after prostate cancer surgery – find out what we can do to help you get back to full health sooner https://www.pelvicphysio.co.nz/prostate-cancer-surgery-the-advantages-of-seeing-a-pelvic-health-physiotherapist/
If you would like to make an appointment or find out more information please call us on 04 802 4225 or you can email us here