The Male and Female Pelvic Floor
What is the Pelvic Floor?
Pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest in men and women, often impacting continence, sexual function, and pelvic organ support.
In Women, they may experience:
Urinary incontinence, particularly stress incontinence with activities like coughing or exercise, urgency, and sometimes fecal incontinence
Changes in vaginal sensation such as pelvic heaviness can be suggestive of prolapse.
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Sexual dysfunction, including pain or difficulty achieving orgasm
In Men, the symptoms are often overlooked, they can also present with:
urinary incontinence, especially after prostate surgery.
Bowel control issues, such as fecal incontinence or difficulty controlling gas.
Erectile dysfunction and perineal pain are other potential symptoms. I
It's crucial to recognize that pelvic floor dysfunction is not exclusively a female issue, and men should seek evaluation and treatment when experiencing these symptoms. These symptoms can significantly diminish a man and woman's quality of life and require a comprehensive approach.
Male pelvic floor vs Female pelvic floor
Home Exercise
Start by lying on your back with knees bent. Focus on engaging the correct muscles: imagine zipping up from your tailbone to your pubic bone.
For women, visualize gently lifting and sucking up a piece of spaghetti through your vagina. For men, imagine the sensation of your testicles lifting as if stepping into freezing cold water.
Hold this contraction for a up to 10 seconds, then fully relax, repeat this 10 times, and 3 times daily.
Remember to breathe throughout the exercise, think about engaging your pelvic floor muscles as you exhale.
Once you're comfortable lying down, progress to performing the same exercise while standing, maintaining the same cues to ensure proper muscle engagement.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapy offers a targeted and effective approach to managing pelvic floor dysfunction.
During your session you can expect:
A thorough assessment, including a detailed history and physical examination, is essential to identify the specific impairments contributing to the symptoms.
Ultrasound scan of the pelvic floor and bladder retention may be used.
Objective Testing, this may include an internal examination in women.
Treatment plans include pelvic floor muscle exercises to improve strength, endurance, and coordination. Manual therapy techniques can address muscle imbalances and release tension. Biofeedback can enhance awareness and control of the pelvic floor muscles.
Finally and very importantly, your physiotherapist will provide education on your bladder and bowel habits, lifestyle modifications, and pain management strategies are also integral components of physiotherapy intervention. With consistent effort and expert guidance, individuals can achieve significant improvements in pelvic floor function, reduce symptoms, and regain confidence and control over their pelvic health.
