WOMEN'S, MEN'S AND PELVIC HEALTH
Helpful information
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Over 5 million Australians experience bladder or bowel control problems. There are many factors that increase this risk, including:
Pregnancy
Vaginal delivery / instrumental delivery/ large tears
Increasing age
Menopause
Impaired mobility
Genetics / Family history
Chronic straining / constipation
Chronic coughing / respiratory conditions
Overweight or obesity
Gynaecological surgery e.g. hysterectomy
Prostate problems & surgery
Pelvic radiation treatments
Pelvic trauma / injury
Repeated heavy lifting
Excessive core exercises
Elite athletic training
Musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, underlying health issues (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity)
Pelvic pain syndromes
THE GOOD NEWS
Pelvic floor problems do not have to be a life sentence. With the right help, these problems can be prevented, cured or at the very least better managed. Get help by speaking to your GP, Specialist or contact us at Jenny Boyce Physiotherapy for advice on best management options.
BLADDER PROBLEMS CAN AFFECT BOTH MEN AND WOMEN
Symptoms include:
Urinary leakage
Stress urinary incontinence
Urge urinary incontinence
Urgency
Frequency
Slow or intermittent stream & straining
Feeling of incomplete emptying
Loss of urine after bladder emptying (post-void dribble)
Pain on filling or emptying
BOWEL PROBLEMS CAN AFFECT BOTH MEN AND WOMEN
Symptoms include:
Constipation/ straining
Sense of incomplete emptying
Faecal leakage
Difficulty holding onto wind
Haemorrhoids, anal fissures
Rectal prolapse
Bloating and pelvic pain related to bowel conditions
VAGINAL PROLAPSE
Vaginal prolapse is a descent into the vagina of one or more of the pelvic organs – the bladder, uterus or bowel. This happens when the ligaments, muscles and fascia (a network of supporting tissue) that support these pelvic organs in their correct positions become weakened. Prolapse can be dealt with conservatively or with surgery depending on the level of prolapse.
RECTAL PROLAPSE
Rectal prolapse is a condition where the rectal mucosa (membrane) or the rectal wall descends or protrudes out through the anus.
PELVIC PAIN
Pelvic Pain affects women and men of all ages, as well as adolescents and sometimes children, from all ethnicities and social backgrounds, yet it’s a condition that is rarely discussed.
Pelvic Pain has many names:
Genito-urinary & Anorectal Chronic Pelvic Pain
Persistent Pelvic Pain
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Pelvic floor tension
Endometriosis
Vaginismus
Vulvodynia
Dyspareunia
Painful Bladder Syndrome
Interstitial Cystitis
Pelvic Girdle Pain
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Rectal pain
Pudendal Neuralgia
Proctalgia
Prostatitis
Piriformis Syndrome
Post-op pain
Pelvic Pain may cause involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles leading to increased pelvic floor muscle tension, tightness and difficulty relaxing your pelvic floor muscles.
SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION CAN AFFECT BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.
Women can experience painful intercourse as a result of pelvic floor tension, dryness, vulvovaginal atrophy, prolapse and vulvodynia.
Men can experience erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction.
MEN’S HEALTH
Men, do you know where your pelvic floor muscles are? The male pelvic floor is useful for supporting the pelvic organs (bladder and rectum); controlling and emptying the bladder and bowel, and for sexual function (erection and ejaculation). Male pelvic floor muscles are also susceptible to injury and dysfunction.
ANTENATAL AND POSTNATAL PHYSIOTHERAPY
We provide antenatal and postnatal pelvic floor and musculoskeletal management to help you stay comfortable throughout pregnancy, motherhood and beyond.
WHAT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ARE USED AT JENNY BOYCE PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Our mission is to ensure you receive high quality individual advice and treatment to support your health needs and help you regain your pelvic floor function, engage in your daily activities, work, hobbies and exercise choices and improve your overall quality of life. Management strategies include:
Education on healthy bladder and bowel habits
Pelvic floor muscle training
Pelvic floor muscle downtraining
Pelvic pain management strategies
Functional training
Breath awareness
Postural education
Promotion of pelvic floor safe exercise
Bladder retraining and urge control strategies
Education on defaecation dynamics
Prolapse management (conservative)
Pessary advice and education
Pre and post-op pelvic floor rehabilitation for gynaecological, colorectal and prostate surgery.
PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES
The pelvic floor supports the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus & bowel) and is important in helping to maintain bladder and bowel control. They also play an important role in sexual sensation and function. Pelvic floor muscle training and learning to use the PFMs functionally, (for example when you cough, sneeze, lift, push, bend, move in and out of bed or going from sit to stand) are the first line of treatment. Like all exercises, pelvic floor exercises are most effective when individually tailored and monitored.
PELVIC FLOOR SAFE EXERCISE
‘Pelvic floor friendly or safe’ exercises refer to exercises that place less stress on your pelvic floor. These are suitable for people who experience, or are at risk of, pelvic floor problems. It can be tricky to figure out what exercises are pelvic floor friendly, and what exercises are not. As a general rule, try to avoid high impact or high intensity exercises that place downward pressure on your pelvic floor.
These resources are provided for general informational/educational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. For more information, get in touch with us today or consult your qualified medical and/or health professional.