Prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy and benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a common medical condition related to aging in men. Prostate surgery alleviates the symptoms caused by enlargement of the prostate, which is the male reproductive gland that surrounds the urethra. An enlarged prostate can cause bladder problems, including blockage of urine flow and incontinence, MedlinePlus says. Pelvic floor exercises can strengthen pelvic floor muscles weakened by prostate gland surgery.
Pelvic Floor Weakness
Layers of muscle and tissues form the hammock-shaped pelvic floor, which supports and helps you control your bladder and bowel. The pelvic floor attaches to your pubic bone at the front and to your tailbone at the back. Your urethra, which is the outlet for your bladder, and your rectum pass through the muscles of the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor exercises, also called Kegel exercises, can help strengthen the muscles that support the urethra and bladder in men. Stronger pelvic floor muscles can improve symptoms such as the urgency to urinate and bladder and bowel control, the Continence Foundation says.
Pelvic Floor Muscles
You can perform more effective pelvic floor exercises if you learn to identify your pelvic floor muscles. The process for locating the muscles involves sitting, or lying, and relaxing the muscles of your stomach, buttocks and thighs. Tighten the muscle ring around your anus as if you're trying to stop from passing gas, and relax. Perform this movement a few times without tightening the muscles in your thighs, stomach or buttocks. Pretend you are about to urinate and you are stopping and restarting the flow in mid-stream. You should feel the base of your penis move slightly upward toward your stomach if the stop-and-start is performed correctly, according to the Continence Foundation.
Exercises
One pelvic floor exercise routine begins with you tightening and strongly drawing in the muscles around your urethra and anus simultaneously, as if lifting them up inside of your body. Hold this muscle contraction for a count of five, slowly release the contraction and relax. After a few seconds, repeat the squeeze-and-lift movement and relax. Increase the time you hold the contraction to 10 seconds once the five-second hold becomes easy for you. Work toward eight to 10 exercises and breathe while performing the exercises. Another helpful exercise involves performing five to 10 of the same squeeze-and-lift contractions very quickly. Contract and let go immediately.
Technique
The exercises are more effective if performed well by using slow, strong contractions and maintaining form. Perform the routine four to five times each day. The Continence Foundation recommends performing the exercises after using the bathroom, while drinking a beverage and while in the bed. You can add to your strengthening exercises by tightening your pelvic floor muscles when rising from a chair, lifting objects or coughing. You should see some improvement after several weeks of performing the exercises; however, it can take months to regain maximum performance, after which you should continue the exercises at least twice a day for the rest of your life.
Tips
Your doctor might recommend that you begin to perform pelvic floor exercises before your surgery. A medical professional can help you learn to identify your pelvic floor muscles. You can perform the pelvic floor exercises while standing or walking.
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