Urinary incontinence is not uncommon following surgery for prostate cancer treatment. Many men would regain control of their bladder between 6 to 12 months following surgery. Here at our prostate health center, we encourage men who just underwent surgery to improve symptoms of urinary incontinence through steps that will help them regain control of their pelvic floor muscles.
Here’s a quick guide to slowly but surely regaining pelvic muscle strength and significantly reduce leaking episodes:
- Begin by identifying your pelvic floor muscles. Practice slowing or stopping urine flow while emptying your bladder. If you are able to slow or stop the flow, you are actually squeezing the right muscles. If you’re not sure if you’ve got the right muscles, stand in front of the mirror with no clothes on and notice if your penis draws in while your scrotum simultaneously lifts up while trying to stop urine flow. If you don’t see your penis drawing in and scrotum lifting up, you’re not squeezing the right muscles. A sensation of “letting go” is also normal while relaxing the muscles.
- Using the correct technique is very important when trying to control your pelvic floor muscles. When squeezing the muscles, try to breathe normally and keep everything above the belly button relaxed.
- After mastering the “lift and squeeze” technique, try to hold the squeeze to up to 10 seconds. If you’re already comfortable doing this, repeat this 10 times for at least 3 times a day.
- Most men tend to forget their pelvic floor exercises in the beginning. We suggest that you link the exercise to a regular daily activity such as flossing, brushing your teeth, or before/after meal times.
It is best to consult a urology nurse or continence physiotherapist to learn about the proper techniques pelvic floor exercises.
At the Sperling Prostate Center in Florida, MRI-Guided prostate Laser Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that can virtually eliminate many of the risks associated with traditional forms of prostate treatment, such as impotence (erectile dysfunction) and incontinence (loss of bladder control). Call us now at 877-605-2737 or fill out this contact form to request a consultation. We look forward to helping you improve your prostate health!
About Dr. Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.
