Prostate Cancer: What people should know.
Prostate Cancer: What people should know.
After prostate cancer treatment, particularly surgery or radiation therapy, men may experience various changes in their pelvic floor function. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support pelvic organs, including the bladder and rectum. Here are some common effects on the pelvic floor following prostate cancer treatment:
1. Urinary Incontinence: One of the most common issues after prostate cancer treatment is urinary incontinence. Research suggests the prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in men is 1% to 87%, especially after prostate surgery (1,2,3). This can occur due to damage to the muscles and nerves surrounding the prostate during surgery or radiation. Men may experience leakage of urine during activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. They may also experience frequent urination throughout the day and night. Pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen the muscles that control urination and improve continence.
2. Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Treatment for prostate cancer, particularly surgery, can also lead to erectile dysfunction. The nerves responsible for erections may be damaged during surgery, impacting blood flow to the penis. Pelvic floor exercises, along with other treatments such as medications or vacuum erection devices, may help improve erectile function over time.
3. Pelvic Pain: Some men may experience pelvic pain following prostate cancer treatment. This pain can be due to scarring, inflammation, or nerve damage. Physical therapy techniques, including pelvic floor relaxation exercises and manual therapy, may help alleviate pelvic pain and discomfort.
4. Changes in Bowel Function: Radiation therapy for prostate cancer can sometimes cause irritation or damage to the rectum and surrounding tissues, leading to bowel dysfunction. This may include symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation, or faecal incontinence. Pelvic floor training and dietary modifications are recommended to manage bowel symptoms.
Home Pelvic Routines for Men are an online way of doing the pelvic floor muscle training, without even having to come and see the pelvic physiotherapist! They are an affordable, convenience and quick way of getting you pelvic floor muscle trained, in privacy, using any device, phone, tablet or laptop. All you need is an email address to log on and create a password enabled account. They are available to purchase from our website. I have seen thousands of women and men through my hands every year, in the last 25 years, with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. My at home pelvic floor muscle training program, Home Pelvic Routine, is designed to that even the weakest person can do this program of training and routines successfully, will feel that they are doing the exercises correctly and will be progressed through the exercises that are needed, at the right pace for optimal cost effective, convenient, and quick training results!
References:
1. Kielb S., Dunn R.L., Rashid M.G., Murray S., Sanda M.G., Montie J.E., Wei J.T. Assessment of early continence recovery after radical prostatectomy: Patient reported symptoms and impairment. J. Urol. 2001;166:958–961. doi: 10.1016/S0022-5347(05)65872-7. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
2. Jønler M., Madsen F.A., Rhodes P.R., Sall M., Messing E.M., Bruskewitz R.C. A prospective study of quantification of urinary incontinence and quality of life in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy. Urology. 1996;48:433–440. doi: 10.1016/S0090-4295(96)00216-6. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
3. Foote J., Yun S., Leach G.E. Postprostatectomy incontinence. Pathophysiology, evaluation, and management. Urol. Clin. North Am. 1991;18:229–241. doi: 10.1016/S0094-0143(21)00990-3. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
