This month we are doing a special set of blogs based on Men’s Health to align with Movember.

Movember aims to increase the awareness of male related health problems such as prostate and testicular cancer, suicide prevention and also general health for men. They want to encourage men to speak more openly about their health. To raise awareness and money every year they encourage men to grow a moustache, hence the name Movember. Check out their website for more information or if you would like to donate.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is walnut shaped gland that sits below the bladder and above the penis in men. Its function is to secrete fluid to nourish the sperm.

What is chronic prostatitis?

This is inflammation of the gland which can result in the following symptoms:
• constant urge to urinate
• burning pain when urinating
• difficulty starting urination, followed by an uneven flow
• feeling as if the bladder is not fully emptied after urination
• pain in the lower back, lower abdomen, above the pubic area, or between the testicles and anus
• painful ejaculation

Why does it become inflamed?

For many years the source was thought to be solely a bacterial infection of the prostate and the treatment was antibiotic therapy, often prolonged courses. However, many men found no relief with this treatment and in more recent times chronic prostatitis has been referred to as Chronic Pelvic Pain. More recently it has become accepted that hypertonicity (increased tension) in the pelvic floor muscles along with irritation of the prudendal nerve (a nerve deep in the pelvis) plays a greater role in this condition. There is no known cause of this type of chronic prostatitis and it’s often an accumulation of symptoms overtime. For instance, a man might notice that after an episode of low back pain he develops some hesitancy is his urinary flow a few months later. This can be due to gradual increased tension in his pelvic floor muscles following the back-pain episode.
This condition was associated with the older man but we see it regularly in cyclists.

What role has Physiotherapy?

• Firstly, examining the low back and pelvis , looking for any stiffness in the joints. Also, assessing the external muscles in the area for weakness or trigger points.
• Assessing your pelvic floor muscles especially your ability to relax the muscles in this area. Learning to use breath control to release these muscles.
• Your physiotherapist can also help with specific hip and spine mobility and strengthening exercises to improve your ability to move this area efficiently.

Here at Ballsbridge physiotherapy Clinic Aileen MaGuire is our expert in Men’s Health. If you have any questions about this condition get in touch. You can book an appointment online or call (01) 6606582.