Incontinence Exercises After Prostate Surgery

Urinary incontinence is common in men who have undergone prostate surgery. The type and severity of incontinence each man experiences may differ, ranging from slight leakage to a full-blown loss of control. Though there are medications and medical procedures available to treat this condition, the most popular form of treatment is pelvic floor exercises.

The Prostate and Urination

• The muscles of the pelvic floor are what control urination. This includes the prostate gland, which surrounds the urethra. During urination, muscles in the bladder contract to push the urine into the urethra while the muscles of the urethra relax, allowing the urine to flow. Because the prostate glands surround the urethra, removing the prostate via surgery interrupts the bladder's ability to hold urine. This results in leakage and loss of bladder control.

Pelvic Floor Exercises

• Better known as Kegels, these exercises help strengthen the muscles of the bladder after prostate surgery. Though effective and beneficial, it does take practice to master the technique. Knowing how to locate the muscle is the first step, then knowing how to perform the exercises is the next.

Locate the Muscle

• There are two ways you can locate your pelvic floor muscles. Locating the correct muscle is imperative to achieving the optimal benefits these exercises have to offer.

  First you can wait until you feel the urge to urinate. As you begin, stop midstream. The muscle you feel during this process is your pelvic floor muscle.

  Another option is to lie on your back and insert a finger into your anus. Begin squeezing your muscles. When you feel your muscle tighten around your finger, you know you have located your pelvic floor muscle.

Performing the Exercises

• When you are just beginning, start slowly. Squeeze your muscle and hold for a count of three. Then relax your muscle for a count of three. Begin by doing five repetitions, three times a day, gradually working up to 12 repetitions a day. As your muscles grow stronger, begin holding them for a longer period of time until you can hold your squeeze for a count of 10.

  When doing your exercises, be sure not to engage your abdominal, thigh or buttocks muscles. Doing this will only interfere with the benefits of the Kegels. You also need to be careful not to overdo it; your pelvic floor muscles are still muscles and can be easily injured. If you feel pain while performing these exercises, stop and rest.

  Finally, do not get discouraged. It may take a while before you see results from the exercises and the length of time varies according to the individual. Some may see results within a month while others may not see any improvement for two months.