Pelvic floor training for men, using biofeedback for managing urinary issues
Men, who experience urinary leakage at inopportune times due to sneezing, playing sports, coughing, or after prostate cancer removal, may find relief through biofeedback. Biofeedback can be a helpful tool in assisting men to identify ways to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles, essential for controlling urinary function.
What are the pelvic floor muscles?
The location of the pelvic floor muscles are between the tailbone and the pubic bone deep within the pelvis region. These muscles help support both the bowel and bladder.
Your pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in stabilizing your core and aiding vital bodily functions such as urination, defecation, and sexual intercourse. These muscles can become weaker over time due to injury, aging, etc., which may cause conditions like incontinence or prolapse of pelvic organs. However, exercising your pelvic floor muscles can help counteract the adverse effects of having weak pelvic floor muscles.
Symptoms of weak pelvic floor muscles can include:
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Unintended urine or stool leaks
- Constipation
- Painful intercourse
What is biofeedback for pelvic floor training for men?
Biofeedback is a non-invasive and painless treatment that helps individuals identify and strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. During the treatment, sensors are used to measure the amount of activity in the pelvic floor muscles, which is then displayed on a computer monitor. The feedback helps individuals to locate the correct muscles and gain control over their urinary function. Correct usage of the pelvic floor muscles is vital for maintaining urinary continence, and biofeedback is a safe and effective way to achieve this.
Individualized recommendations of daily pelvic floor exercises can improve results.
Biofeedback can be used for prevent bladder leaks, urinary incontinence, and urinary frequency. Studies have found that 8 in 10 people who use biofeedback for training pelvic floor muscles will gain success.
What happens at a biofeedback session?
Before the biofeedback session can begin, two sensors will be placed on the body; one sensor is placed on the abdomen and the other sensor is placed inside the anal canal. After each sensor is in place, you will be seated comfortably in a chair.
Each session lasts approximately one hour and the number of sessions needed is based on each individual’s progress. A provider will guide the patient, teaching them which muscles and how to target them as the patient relaxes and tightens the muscles of their pelvic floor.
Other ways to optimize the results of this type of muscle training can include changing lifestyle and dietary habits with the goal of preventing unexpected urine and stool leaks.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.