Do those Kegels!

Posted by kjacko @kjacko, Nov 19, 2023

I needed to discuss my current situation regarding Kegel exercises. In September I met with my surgeon for the first time to discuss my November RP. He emphasized the need to do Kegel exercises and showed me how to do them. From that point on I did them everyday. After my surgery and removal of my catheter I was told to do 2 exercises, ten reps of each, every hour. The result: I have had ZERO leakage. I decided to wear a day brief and then a night brief at bed just to be safe. NOTHING! They told me the ultimate test is when I sneezed or coughed. I sneezed: nothing again! There is no doubt in my mind that doing the Kegel exercises religiously is why I regained my continence so quickly. My advice to you is DO THOSE KEGELS!!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

My RALP was 8/23/22. My Urologist gave my a script for PT, ans I did this for several weeks, in session & at home, them again after the catheter was removed. I had zero incontinence! Still pulling my nuts to my guts today!

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@kjacko, great thread! Thanks to your wife for that adjustment about not squeezing your cheeks. I think @kenhorse will concur.

Here's an article from Mayo Clinic with more info:
- Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises-for-men/art-20045074

@trusam1, I think this may be the Aussie PT you're referring to who has descriptive, helpful phrases like "shorten your penis".


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@kjacko

The easiest way to explain a Kegel is to squeeze your cheeks. DO NOT use your stomach. I do a set of ten quick ones and then a set of ten where you hold each one for 3-4 seconds. After my catheter was removed I did them every hour I was awake. As soon as I finished my two sets I set my timer for 1 hour so I never forgot.

You can also go on-line and type in Kegel exercises and many sites and demonstrations come up. The ones I described were recommended by my surgeon. Best of luck to you. KJ

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So you are doing a set every hour for 18 hours each and every day? Is that right or was that just after having your catheter removed? That might be contributing to your success.

What do docs typically recommend for Joe Average?

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@colleenyoung

@kjacko, great thread! Thanks to your wife for that adjustment about not squeezing your cheeks. I think @kenhorse will concur.

Here's an article from Mayo Clinic with more info:
- Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises-for-men/art-20045074

@trusam1, I think this may be the Aussie PT you're referring to who has descriptive, helpful phrases like "shorten your penis".


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Great web site for the information I was looking for. I search all over putting in Kegel exercises and could not find this specific information.
Thank Connie!

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@ozelli

So you are doing a set every hour for 18 hours each and every day? Is that right or was that just after having your catheter removed? That might be contributing to your success.

What do docs typically recommend for Joe Average?

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After my catheter was removed, I did one set of ten quick movements and then one set of ten with a 4/5 second hold every hour on the hour. Usually started at 8am and did them until 10pm. If I got up in the middle of the night to pee, I would do a set when I got back in bed. While the catheter was in, I would do them periodically throughout the day. My doctor said they are hard to do with it in. Later in the process I read an article that said DONT do Kegels with the catheter in. It didn’t say why. I had 7 weeks before my surgery, and I did Kegels on and off everyday. I tend to go to extremes but no doubt it paid off. I have had ZERO dribbling but I continue to do Kegels everyday. I have my first Followup appointment with my surgeon December 1st. I’ll. Discuss the future with him at that time. Good luck.

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@colleenyoung

@kjacko, great thread! Thanks to your wife for that adjustment about not squeezing your cheeks. I think @kenhorse will concur.

Here's an article from Mayo Clinic with more info:
- Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises-for-men/art-20045074

@trusam1, I think this may be the Aussie PT you're referring to who has descriptive, helpful phrases like "shorten your penis".


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This is the PT I was referring to https://m.youtube.com/c/AskDoctorJo/videos

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The Australian author is Craig Allingham and his book is entitled Prostate Recovery Map-Men's Action Plan. I found it to be very useful. I have had urinary incontinence for 5 1/2 years and use one Depend and a maximum pad per day. The good news is that I am dry overnight and through the morning but as the day goes by my sphincter muscles tire and I will start to leak. It is also useful to see a Pelvic Floor specialist before you have your RP. I would also strongly recommend that you see a Pelvic Floor specialist who uses a bio-feedback mechanism so they can monitor the quality of your kegels. It doesn't hurt to go to some websites beforehand to gain a better understanding but the technique is very subtle so spend the dollars and see a specialist. Remember; it is tighten the anus and/or shorten the penis; preferably the latter.

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@colleenyoung

@kjacko, great thread! Thanks to your wife for that adjustment about not squeezing your cheeks. I think @kenhorse will concur.

Here's an article from Mayo Clinic with more info:
- Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises-for-men/art-20045074

@trusam1, I think this may be the Aussie PT you're referring to who has descriptive, helpful phrases like "shorten your penis".


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The three videos behind your post, we can't open here.

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@phl6953

The three videos behind your post, we can't open here.

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Here are the links to the YouTube videos https://youtu.be/MJ7EfGu03-0 and
- Kegels for Men https://youtu.be/n6z88aU1dMw

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