Prostate Issues

What prostate issues might I develop?

Common prostate problems include: 

Erectile dysfunction

Being unable to have or maintain an erection has many possible causes, and can be impacted by pelvic muscle overactivity or underactivity (tightness or weakness) and this can be changed with pelvic therapy!

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)

Your prostate keeps enlarging throughout your adult years, often getting big enough to cause symptoms. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia impacts many older adults and the symptoms of this can be managed with pelvic therapy to continue to have the most amount of bladder and pelvic function. 

Prostatitis

Prostatitis, an inflamed prostate, may be a short-lived bacterial infection or turn into a chronic problem. Chronic prostatitis causes painful scarring (adhesions). This scar tissue can create changes in pelvic muscle tightness and often benefits from stretching and mobilizing the area. 

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer grows slowly for decades, so you may not need immediate treatment. Sometimes, prostate cancer requires a prostatectomy (removal of the prostate). If you need surgery, the team at Inland Pelvic Health provides expert post-prostatectomy rehabilitation as well as pre-surgical treatment. 

What symptoms will prostate issues cause? 

Symptoms caused by prostate issues include:

• Difficulty urinating
• Slow or weak urine stream
• A urine stream that stops and starts
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Urinary incontinence (involuntary urine leakage)
• Dribbling after urination
• Waking during the night to urinate
• Inability to empty your bladder
• Burning when urinating
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Chronic prostatitis is known for causing ongoing pain in the scrotum, penis, lower abdomen, and lower back. Prostatitis and treatments for prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate may lead to erectile dysfunction.

How does pelvic physical therapy improve prostate issues?

Pelvic physical therapy can relieve erectile dysfunction and the urinary symptoms and pain caused by prostate issues by targeting the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles form the floor of your pelvic cavity, covering the entire area from the pubic bone in front to the tailbone at the base of your spine.

The pelvic floor muscles support your bladder and bowel, holding them in place and protecting them from external damage. The muscles also control urination and bowel movements. And they’re essential for having and maintaining an erection.

Weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles cause urinary leakage, incontinence, pain, and erectile dysfunction. Doing "kegels" or pelvic muscle squeezes is not necesarily the answer, as a matter of fact, it may make the symptoms worse. If the pelvic muscles are too tight or rigid or if they are imbalanced, doing "kegels" will NOT help. Pelvic floor physical therapists will create a customized specific program to balance and sequence the muscles, which improves your symptoms.

What happens during pelvic therapy for prostate issues?

During your first appointment, your therapist discusses your symptoms, completes an evaluation, and works with you to create a customized treatment plan. Your treatment may include pelvic floor exercises, core muscle exercises, visceral manipulation, and biofeedback, to name just a few.

Call Inland Pelvic Health & Physical Therapy today or book online to learn how pelvic floor physical therapy can improve prostate symptoms.