In Australia, over 7.2 million Australians are affected by urinary leakage or incontinence – 2.4 million men and 4.8 million women. That’s a staggering 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men having difficulty controlling their bladder.

Waking overnight to urinate, also known as nocturia, can be annoying and frustrating, resulting in you feeling tired and unrefreshed. Many people assume urinating overnight is a normal part of ageing, but this isn’t necessarily true. Nocturia may be a sign of other underlying health problems.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition affecting up to 10-20% of men & women, affecting people of all ages, with most over the age of 40. It is under diagnosed and under treated because people incorrectly assume it is an inevitable part of ageing or nothing can be done to help.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. Each year, over 24,000 men are diagnosed, where most men are over the age of 50. Chances are, most people will know, or know someone who knows someone who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in Australia. Receiving this diagnosis can be a difficult experience for men and their families. There is often emotional and psychological distress faced throughout the cancer journey.

Persistent Pelvic Pain Syndrome (PPPS) is a debilitating condition that has a huge negative impact on men’s physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing. It is more common than you think, with a study reporting 8% of Australian men identify as having pelvic pain. It is particularly distressing as many of the things men take for granted – sitting, walking, exercising, urinating, defaecating, sexual arousal and ejaculation - can cause crippling, agonising pain.

A condition we often see in men and women is shy bladder syndrome (aka paruresis), a term used to describe people who find it difficult or impossible to urinate near other people. This is quite a common social phobia, secondary only to the fear of public speaking. It often begins at school, and symptoms can vary in different situations – eg. going to a public toilet where there are others around (ie school, restaurant, the MCG!) can be quite challenging for people with this condition!

Bladder leakage is an unfortunate side effect of surgery for prostate cancer. At WMHP we are passionate about helping men regain bladder control after surgery, and also in teaching other health professionals how to best manage this condition.

The pelvic floor muscles have typically been seen as ‘women’s business’, but did you know that men have a pelvic floor too? When a man’s pelvic floor is not working properly, it can lead to bladder problems, bowel problems, erectile dysfunction, or pain in the genitals and pelvis. Many of these problems can be improved, and often cured, by seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist.