As men get older, it’s common for the prostate to grow. This is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or benign prostate enlargement. While not cancerous, BPH can cause frustrating urinary symptoms: needing to pee often, weak flow, or feeling like the bladder never empties fully.

What many men don’t realise is that pelvic floor physiotherapy can help manage these symptoms, safely and effectively.

What Is BPH?

The prostate surrounds the urethra (the tube carrying urine out of the bladder). As it grows with age, it can:

Narrow the urethra → making urine flow weaker
Irritate the bladder → causing urgency or frequency
Increase “stop-start” urination and nighttime trips to the toilet

Common Symptoms of BPH

Frequent urination (especially at night)
Urgency : needing to rush to the toilet
Weak or interrupted stream
Difficulty starting urination
Feeling like the bladder isn’t empty
Dribbling after urination

👉 These are known as Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS).

Where Pelvic Physio Comes In

While BPH itself is a structural issue, the pelvic floor and bladder habits play a huge role in how severe your symptoms feel.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help you:

Improve bladder emptying
- Learning how to relax the pelvic floor instead of straining
- Breathing strategies to reduce pressure on the bladder
Reduce urgency and frequency
- Bladder training to retrain signals
- Identifying and reducing bladder irritants (coffee, alcohol, fizzy drinks)
Manage post-void dribbling
- Training the pelvic floor muscles to fully close and then relax after urination
- Practical strategies to avoid leakage after leaving the toilet
Strengthen overall pelvic health
- Strong, well-coordinated pelvic floor muscles can support continence even when the prostate causes obstruction.

What the Evidence Says

Research shows that pelvic floor training improves LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) in men, including those with BPH.
Combining physiotherapy with lifestyle changes (hydration, bladder retraining, avoiding straining) offers the best outcomes.
For men not yet needing surgery, pelvic physio can be a safe first-line strategy.

When to See Your Doctor

Physio is a great tool, but it’s important to check with your GP or urologist to rule out:

Prostate cancer
Urinary tract infection
Severe obstruction needing surgical treatment

BPH is common and can be frustrating but you’re not powerless. Pelvic floor physiotherapy offers simple, evidence-based strategies to improve bladder emptying, reduce urgency, and regain control.

✨ Living with BPH symptoms? Book a consultation with our men’s pelvic health physiotherapists at Renard Clinic for tailored support