PELVIC FLOOR REHABILITATION IN MALES…. AN IGNORED DOMAIN

Abstract

y writing in Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation, I would like to draw attention of the readers toward the ignorance on the need of physical therapy in pelvic floor rehabilitation among males. Urinary incontinence is prevalent by 1.8-30.5% in Europe, 1.7-36.4% in USA and is 1.5-15.2% in Asian population due to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. By recent studies, it has been observed that urinary incontinence in males has less emphasis when compared with females. Urinary incontinence among males is possibly an outcome of prostatitis, trauma, chronic infection, obesity, heavy lifting, benign prostate hyperplasia, prostatectomy4, and many other age-related diseases. Globally, pelvic pain and dysfunction influence millions of males worldwide and till date little evidence is present regarding pelvic floor rehabilitation among males. A major concern is the lack of awareness in male patients regarding pelvic floor dysfunction. Moreover, other issues include unfamiliarity with physical therapy, hesitation to discuss genital issues, referral issues by physicians and less number of available pelvic floor physiotherapist. Pelvic floor rehabilitation utilizes the concept of physical therapy to contribute in an organized program for strengthening pelvic floor muscles