The Prostate
What is the Prostate?
The prostate is a walnut sized gland that surrounds the neck of the bladder in men, and those assigned male at birth. Its role is to release prostatic fluids which helps make up part of the semen. The prostate assists with urinary continence due to its location at the bladder neck.
What conditions can affect the prostate?
- Enlarged prostate from aging
- Inflamed prostate (Prostatitis) from an infection
- Inflamed and enlarged prostate from overactive pelvic floor muscles
- Prostate cancer
What are the signs and symptoms of prostate concerns?
Due to the location of the prostate at the base of the bladder neck it can cause –
- Urinary hesitancy, urgency, frequency
- Incomplete bladder emptying, which may lead to a urinary tract infection
- Involuntary loss of urine
- Pain with urination
- Erectile dysfunction
Prostate Cancer Management: Radical Prostatectomy
Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure involving removing the prostate gland completely, with the aim to remove the cancer before it spreads. Urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are the possible side effects of the surgery.
How will Pelvic Connections help?
Pre and post operative physiotherapy for radical prostatectomy has shown to significantly improve severity of the urinary leakage and reduce the time to regain bladder control after radical prostatectomy.
Physiotherapy for prostate care can include –
- Education on male pelvic floor anatomy
- Pelvic floor muscles training: activation and relaxation via real-time ultrasound
- Bladder habit normalisation
- Optimising urination and defecation positioning when using the toilet
- Advice around constipation management and prevention
- Pain management advice
- Return to sports and work with strength and conditioning training.
The Physiotherapists Treating Men’s Health
Trisha
Marissa
