Men who develop prostate cancer may be candidates for a prostatectomy. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between a man's rectum and bladder which is responsible for nourishing sperm and helping it mature. If the patient is otherwise fairly healthy and the cancer is detected early and confined to the prostate gland, removing this gland gives the patient a good chance of recovery. Many men suffer from temporary or permanent incontinence after a prostatectomy, but pelvic floor exercises often improve this situation.
Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises, also called pelvic floor exercises, were developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel. This California gynecologist published his article "Progressive Resistance Exercise in the Functional Restoration of the Perineal Muscles" in the August 1948 issue of the "American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology." He established his method to help women tighten their vaginal muscles after giving birth. In the intervening years, Kegel exercises have become widely prescribed for both women and men who suffer from urinary incontinence. This is important for prostate cancer survivors, since the two biggest side effects of prostatectomies are impotence and incontinence.
Performing the Kegel
To perform the Kegel, first you have to locate the right muscles. Dr. William J. Catalona of the Urological Research Foundation suggests patients imagine they are urinating, then suddenly contract the muscles as though stopping in midstream. He advises holding for only a second or two, then resting for five to 10 seconds before repeating. Patients should do 10 contractions four times a day. Catalona suggests doing them at breakfast, lunch, dinner and when going to bed. But don't overdo it. If you fatigue the muscles, you could worsen your incontinence.
Proactivity Pays
A group of nine researchers divided 118 prostate cancer patients into two groups. One started doing pelvic floor exercises before the prostatectomies. The other group began the exercises afterward. One month after the operation, 44.1 percent of those who started the exercises before surgery were continent, while only 20.3 percent of the other group was. After three months, the groups rated 59.3 percent and 37.3 percent, respectively.
Other Exercises
After surgery, you'll want to start very light exercising almost immediately. This helps prevent blood clots in the legs and fluid in the lungs, according to the Floyd and Delores Jones Cancer Institute at Virginia Mason website. For the first two weeks, confine yourself to stretching and short walks. After the second week, you can do arm exercises with an elastic band or 1- to 2-lb. weights. Wait at least six weeks to play golf, and longer before you resume riding a bicycle. Bicycling is the least desirable activity post-surgery.
References
- Urological Research Foundation: Patient Advice
- "European Urology"; Preoperative Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise for Early Continence After Radical Prostatectomy: A Randomised Controlled Study; Antonia Centemero, et al; June 2010
- Prostate Cancer Institute
- University of Virginia School of Medicine: Physical Therapy: Sexual Pain and Sexual Health
- Floyd and Delores Jones Cancer Institute at Virginia Mason
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