Men’s Pelvic Health
Prostate Surgery & Recovery
Discreet, evidence-based physiotherapy to help you prepare for prostate surgery and recover bladder control, strength and confidence afterwards.
- No referral required
- Evidence-based care
- Discreet & confidential
- Albany, WA
Before surgery
Pre-Prostate Surgery Preparation
Evidence suggests that starting pelvic floor training before radical prostatectomy may support continence recovery afterwards. We help you prepare physically and mentally for before, during and after surgery.
Preparing before your operation is sometimes called prehabilitation. Evidence suggests that learning correct pelvic floor muscle technique before radical prostatectomy may support continence recovery afterwards, and starting early means you already know what to do once your catheter is removed. Pre-operative pelvic floor training is available to men in Albany and across the Great Southern.
Your appointment includes
- Education about prostate surgery
- Pelvic floor assessment & training
- Breathing techniques
- Bladder & bowel preparation
- Catheter education
- Recovery & return-to-work planning
- Penile rehabilitation education
Why prepare early
- Learn correct technique before surgery
- Know what to expect afterwards
- Confidence managing your catheter
- Optimise bladder & bowel habits
- Plan your recovery
After surgery
Post-Prostatectomy Continence
Most men experience some leakage after prostate surgery, especially early on. Pelvic floor rehabilitation may support recovery. Most improvement is reported in the first 6–12 months, and gains may continue beyond that, though recovery varies between individuals.
Signs & symptoms
- Leakage when standing, walking or coughing
- Leakage with lifting or exercise
- Leakage getting out of bed
- Dribbling after urination
- Increased frequency or urgency
- Wearing pads after surgery
How we help
- Individualised pelvic floor training
- Bladder retraining
- The Knack technique
- Pressure management
- Return to golf, cycling & gym
- Recovery-timeline education
Newly diagnosed or have a surgery date?
We can support you before and after your operation, with your care handled confidentially in accordance with our privacy and professional obligations.
Continence recovery
Urinary Incontinence After Prostate Surgery
Urinary leakage is common following a radical prostatectomy (surgery to remove the prostate). For most men, bladder control gradually improves as the tissues heal and the muscles responsible for continence adapt following surgery.
The most common type of leakage is stress urinary incontinence (SUI) — leaking urine when there is an increase in abdominal pressure, such as when coughing, sneezing, standing from a chair, bending, lifting or exercising. Some men may also experience urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), where a sudden strong urge to urinate is accompanied by leakage.
In the early weeks after your urinary catheter is removed, it is common to experience significant leakage and require continence pads. Leakage may be greater later in the day, when you are tired, or during physical activity.
Recovery is different for every person. Many men notice considerable improvement during the first 3 months, with continence continuing to improve between 3 and 6 months and for up to 12 months or longer after surgery. Your recovery can be influenced by factors including your continence before surgery, age, surgical factors, general health and pelvic floor muscle function.
Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) can form an important part of your rehabilitation. Physiotherapy can help you learn how to correctly activate, relax and coordinate these muscles, progressively return to everyday activities and exercise, and develop an individualised plan for your continence recovery.
If leakage is persistent, severe or not improving as expected, further assessment can help determine whether additional management or referral to your treating urologist is appropriate.
Intimacy
Erectile Dysfunction After Surgery
Changes in erectile function are common after prostate surgery, and early rehabilitation may improve long-term recovery. Physiotherapy complements the care provided by your urologist.
Signs & symptoms
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
- Reduced rigidity
- Reduced penile length or fullness
- Changes in orgasm
- Climacturia (leakage during orgasm)
- Reduced confidence with intimacy
How we help
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation
- Penile rehabilitation education
- Exercise & cardiovascular health
- Support returning to intimacy
- Coordination with your urologist
- Guidance on medications & devices where appropriate
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will urinary incontinence last after prostate surgery?
Some urinary leakage is expected after radical prostatectomy, particularly when your catheter is first removed. Most men gradually improve over the following weeks and months. Significant improvement commonly occurs within the first 3–6 months, although recovery can continue for 12 months or longer. Everyone’s recovery is different, so your progress is more important than reaching a particular milestone.
When should I start pelvic floor exercises after prostate surgery?
Pelvic floor muscle exercises are often started before surgery so you can learn the correct technique in advance. Following surgery, pelvic floor exercises should not be performed while your urinary catheter is in place. They can generally recommence after the catheter has been removed and when your surgeon or healthcare team advises it is safe to do so.
How many continence pads will I need after surgery?
This varies considerably between men. It is common to need several pads per day when the catheter is first removed, with pad use gradually reducing as bladder control improves. Rather than comparing your pad number with someone else’s, we can monitor changes in your individual leakage, pad use and function over time.
Why do I leak more when I stand, cough or exercise?
This is known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Activities such as standing, coughing, lifting, bending and exercising temporarily increase pressure within your abdomen. Following prostate surgery, the urinary sphincter and surrounding pelvic floor muscles need to respond effectively to this increase in pressure to prevent leakage. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can help improve this coordination.
Why is my leakage worse later in the day?
It is common for men to notice more leakage with prolonged activity or later in the day. Your pelvic floor and continence system may have to work harder as you move through your day, and fatigue can affect your ability to maintain bladder control. Your physiotherapist can help you balance pelvic floor training, activity and recovery without simply doing more and more exercises.
What if my continence isn’t improving?
Continence recovery is not always linear, but you should generally see a trend towards improvement over time. If your leakage remains significant, has stopped improving or is affecting your quality of life, it is worth seeking further assessment. Your pelvic health physiotherapist can assess your symptoms, pelvic floor function, bladder habits and rehabilitation program and, where appropriate, work alongside your urologist as part of your ongoing care.
Get started
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or already have a surgery date, we’re here to support you before and after your operation.