Yes, men have a pelvic floor too!

While building and maintaining strong pelvic floor muscles has long been associated with women, men have a pelvic floor too! Strengthening these muscles can help to reduce the severity and length of surgery-related continence.

There are various types of incontinence experienced by men

These include:

• Stress incontinence – Leakage that is typically associated with sneezing, laughing, coughing or jumping.  This is one of the main types following prostate surgery. Time can normally improve the condition, but pelvic floor exercises are important.

• Urge incontinence – This is the term used when, for no apparent reason and without warning, an instant, urgent and overwhelming need to urinate is experienced

• After dribble – After dribble (post-micturition dribble or PMD as it’s known medically) is losing a few drops after finishing at the toilet.

• Overflow incontinence – Constant or erratic urine flow which occurs when the bladder is unable to empty properly, resulting in frequent leakage of small amounts of urine.

• Functional incontinence – A physical or cognitive health issue that impedes a person’s ability to get to the toilet in time on their own.

• Bowel or faecal incontinence – Bowel or faecal continence are terms used to describe liquid or solid leakage from the bowel or poor bowel control.

Pelvic floor / Kegel exercises for men

It’s never too early to start strengthening your pelvic floor. Maintaining a strong pelvic floor throughout all stages of your life is important – especially for men facing prostate surgery.

These exercises should start prior to surgery and re-commence immediately after the catheter is removed post-op. Having the correct technique when carrying out pelvic floor muscle exercise is really important and you should consult a pelvic floor physiotherapist for help.