Bladder Problems in Men
Bladder issues can significantly impact a man’s quality of life, leading to embarrassment, discomfort, and disruption of daily activities.
Bladder problems can occur due to many factors such as:
- enlarged prostate
- pelvic floor muscle dysfunction – these muscles can become weak or tight
- surgeries, such as Prostatectomy Surgery
- aging
- chronic constipation
- poor fluid intake and/or poor toileting habits
- stress or anxiety
- obesity
- chronic cough
- medications
- consumption of bladder irritants such as alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and fizzy drinks
What is considered good bladder health?
- A healthy bladder can store 300-500mL at a time
- Urinating between 4 and 6 times in a day and 0 to once overnight (this may increase with age)
- It is recommended to drink 6-8 glasses of fluid each day
- Good bladder health is about you having control
Bladder problems are common in men but they are not normal!
They can manifest in various ways, including:
- Involuntary loss or urine (known as urinary leakage or Urinary Incontinence)
- The need to go to the toilet often (known as Urinary Frequency)
- The need to rush to the toilet to urinate, known as Urinary Urgency
- Difficulty emptying the bladder, a sense of not emptying the bladder completely or the need to go back to the toilet again shortly after going, slowed stream
- Dribbling as one leaves the toilet (known as Post-Micturition Leakage)
- Pain with urination
In many cases bladder problems can be better managed or cured.
Pelvic health physiotherapists can play a vital role in addressing bladder problems in men and is a first-line treatment. Pelvic health physiotherapists play a crucial role in improving bladder function and enhancing overall quality of life.
At Pelvic Care Physiotherapy, Amy Lipshutz is highly specialised and experienced in dealing with these problems. Amy uses a comprehensive, holistic approach to assess and treat these problems.
At Pelvic Care Physiotherapy, you can expect Amy to take a thorough assessment to learn about your problems and goals.
The physiotherapy treatments for bladder problems include:
- Targeted and personalised pelvic floor exercise programs
- Education regarding your concerns and problems
- Advice about lifestyle modifications that can help your bladder problems
- Bladder retraining, a behavioural therapy aimed at training the bladder to gradually enable the bladder to hold larger volumes of urine and reduce the urgency to urinate
- Advice about good fluid intake
- Help with bowel-related concerns that may be further affecting your bladder problems