Many men don’t realise there is a group of muscles they neglect. Whilst the pelvic floor muscles may be unseen, they play a huge role in men’s health and wellbeing and can be done anywhere at any time, at the footy, at work and even at the pub.
The Continence Foundation of Australia, the peak body promoting bladder and bowel control health, has launched a campaign to convince men not to neglect these all-important muscles, ahead of World Continence Week from Monday 20 to Sunday 26 June 2022.
Continence Foundation of Australia CEO Rowan Cockerell said too many men assumed pelvic floor muscle exercises were just for women who had given birth.
“Men will do bicep curls and pushups until the cows come home but neglect the very muscles which are so important for their long-term health and enjoyment of life and sex,” she said. “A strong pelvic floor promotes excellent bladder and bowel control, improves sexual function and helps with recovery after prostate surgery.”
Pelvic floor muscle exercises can be done anywhere, anytime, without anyone even knowing a person is doing them.
“And it’s not just for older men either,” Mrs Cockerell said. “Our data shows 1.36 million Australian men experience continence concerns, and more than a third are aged under 50.”
As well as helping with continence concerns, studies have shown that pelvic floor muscle exercises can also help men overcome sexual issues including erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
The Continence Foundation’s website has a specific men’s section which explains how to do pelvic floor muscle exercises, as well as where to seek further help and resources for continence concerns.
Alongside the campaign to help Aussie men strengthen and maintain their pelvic floors, the Continence Foundation is calling for more incontinence product disposal bins in men’s toilet facilities, through its BINS4Blokes campaign.
While women’s toilets are well-served with sanitary disposal bins, men with continence concerns often find themselves with no options.
“We know anecdotally that men who rely on continence products can be reluctant to socialise outside the home because venues like footy grounds, gyms, restaurants and shopping malls so often lack the facilities they need to dispose of their used items in a dignified and discreet way,” Mrs Cockerell said.
The BINS4Blokes campaign aims to have the installation of disposal bins in men’s bathroom facilities included in the relevant Standards and Codes of Practice. As well as improving the lives of men with continence concerns, the addition of bins would also vastly reduce the number of products being disposed of incorrectly.
The campaign allows people to nominate places they would like to see a bin installed and supports businesses who want to provide a bin in their facilities.
By the numbers
– 1.36 million Australian men are living with some form of incontinence – that’s one in ten
– 50 per cent avoid situations where there isn’t easy access to a toilet
– 28 per cent avoid socialising except with close family and friends
About the Continence Foundation of Australia
The Continence Foundation of Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and the national peak body promoting bladder and bowel control health, incontinence prevention, management, education, awareness, information and advocacy.
With representation in each state and territory, the Foundation provides information, support and resources for individuals, carers and professionals.
About incontinence
- Over five million Australians are affected by incontinence
- The majority of people affected by incontinence can be treated, better managed or even cured
- In 2010, the total economic cost of incontinence was estimated to be $66.7 billion and rising
- People should SEEK HELP:
- Ask your GP
- Call the National Continence Helpline FREE 1800 33 00 66
- Visit continence.org.au
