Dyspareunia and Physiotherapy Dyspareunia is genital pain experienced by women just before, during or after sexual intercourse. Some women have always experienced pain with intercourse from their very first attempt. Other women begin to feel pain with intercourse or cyclically with menstruation. They can also have pain after an injury or infection . Sometimes the pain increases over time. When pain occurs, the woman may be distracted from feeling pleasure and excitement. Causes • vaginal dryness from menopause, childbirth, breastfeeding, medications • skin disorders that cause ulcers, cracks, itching, or burning • infections, such as yeast or urinary tract infections • spontaneous tightening of the muscles of the vaginal wall • endometriosis • pelvic inflammatory disease • uterine fibroids • irritable bowel syndrome • radiation and chemotherapy Other factors that affect a woman’s ability to become aroused can also cause dyspareunia. These factors include: • stress, which can result in…

Prostatitis Prostatitis or Prostatodynia Physiotherapy Prostatodynia or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is a pelvic pain condition in men. This means ‘inflammation of the prostate’. There are two basic types of prostatitis, acute and chronic. Acute Bacterial Prostatitis Acute Bacterial Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate. This type of Prostatitis causes chills and fever. In this case, you need your Doctor’s attention promptly! Nonbacterial or Chronic Prostatitis The other is Nonbacterial or Chronic Prostatitis. This can be treated with alternative treatments such as Pelvic physiotherapy, exercises, lifestyle modifications etc. Investigations in this case show that bacteria and yeast are negative. The physical examination does not usually show anything unusual. However, the prostate may be swollen. What can make the problem even more confusing is that often young, otherwise healthy men develop this condition. Antibiotics, pain-killers, and medications prescribed are often not effective. Many men have…

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy What is pelvic health physiotherapy? Pelvic floor muscles form the ‘bowl’ or ‘hammock’ that supports our lower back and pelvic organs (bladder, uterus/prostate and rectum). Pelvic health physiotherapists have taken courses allowing them to perform an internal evaluation in order to assess the tension and strength of these muscles. Often there is too much tone of the pelvic floor leading to weakness. What are common symptoms of pelvic health dysfunction? • Leakage of urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing and exercise • Urgent need to urinate or leaking before you get to the washroom • Constipation/straining with bowel movements • Heavy feeling or bulge in the vagina • Pain in the pelvic or low back or genital area • Pain with intercourse Check out this link for more information. Some benefits of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy • Leave your house without worrying about your bladder • Exercise without worrying…

Endometriosis Physiotherapy Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells (endometrial cells) similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometriosis Physiotherapy: fortunately there is something that you can do about this! Cause of Endometriosis The cause of endometriosis is unknown. One theory is that the endometrial tissue is deposited in unusual locations by the retrograde flow of menstrual debris through the Fallopian tubes into the pelvic and abdominal cavities. The cause of this retrograde menstruation is not clearly understood. These lesions are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, the surface of the uterus, the bowel, and on the membrane lining of the pelvic cavity (i.e. the peritoneum). It is also likely the direct transfer of endometrial tissues at the time of surgery may be responsible for the endometriosis implants occasionally found in surgical scars (for example, episiotomy…

post-prostatectomy-incontinence Post-prostatectomy-incontinence is a common problem after radical prostatectomy. Patients report that this is the symptom which most disrupts their quality of life. Up to 75 percent of men experience a short period of mild incontinence. This is particularly after removal of the catheter that was placed during surgery. Most patients regain total urinary control after radical prostatectomy. However, this can take up to a year to achieve. Apparently, a small percentage (2% to 4%) experience permanent incontinence. Following radical prostatectomy, men who experience post-prostatectomy-incontinence may express concerns about visible wetness, urine odor, and the type of clothing that can be comfortably worn. Types of Urinary Incontinence The two types of post-protatectomy incontinence following prostate surgery are: • Stress incontinence – Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine that can occur during physical activity, like lifting a heavy object, or when you laugh or sneeze. These . activities put…