Leonie Yeap, Clinical Manager at WMHP, and I were fortunate enough to travel to Philadelphia, USA to attend the 48th annual meeting of the International Continence Society held in August. The meeting, attended by around 1500 delegates from across the globe, is a forum for researchers, clinicians and students to explore the latest research on urinary and faecal incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. Our favourite workshop was one titled The Overactive Pelvic Floor which inspired another of our articles in this newsletter on Provoked Vestibulodynia. There were many interesting presentations and we explore five of them.

Rectal balloon therapy is emerging as an exciting biofeedback tool to effectively treat a variety of benign anorectal disorders. Wald and co-authors recently published the American College of Gastroenterology Clinical Guideline: Management of Benign Anorectal Disorders1, and strongly recommended the use of biofeedback with rectal balloon therapy for treatment of defecatory disorders, chronic proctalgia, and faecal incontinence.

Fred was referred to WMHP with significant incontinence after surgical treatment for prostate cancer. This case study is a fascinating example of the complexity and diverse etiological factors which can contribute to post-prostatectomy incontinence, and explores Fred’s journey on the road to recovery of continence.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) affects HALF of all parous women, however it is still surrounded by taboo. At the recent 26th National Conference on Incontinence, Professor Suzanne Hagen, Scottish Pelvic Floor research guru and international keynote, presented her soon-to-be-published Cochrane systematic review on conservative management of prolapse.

In a recent study, 55% of people considered having bladder and bowel incontinence to be 'worse than death'. Being incontinent was rated higher than 'relying on a breathing machine to live' (50%), 'being bed-bound' (45%), and 'being confused all the time' (40%). This result is staggering, and highlights the stigmatisation of incontinence. Professor Adrian Wagg, Canadian Geriatrician, shared this study in his recent keynote address at the 26th National Conference on Incontinence held in Sydney in November 2017.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are incredibly common, affecting 1 in 2 women and 1 in 20 men in their lifetime. Twenty to thirty percent of women who contract a UTI will experience recurrence. A common treatment for recurrent UTIs is low dose antibiotic prophylaxis, however such treatment programs can lead to antibiotic resistance. The increase in antibiotic resistance has re-ignited interest in non-antibiotic methods such as cranberry to prevent UTIs.

A Post Prostatectomy Incontinence Masterclass at the Asia-Pacific Prostate Cancer Conference 2017 was convened by Shan Morrison and Rachel Heerey. The masterclass brought together experts in urology, pelvic floor physiotherapy, nursing, and psychology. We were very lucky to have such an expert faculty presenting on the day, including surgeons Mr Daniel Moon, Mr Peter Sutherland and Mr Homi Zargar, pelvic floor researcher Dr Ryan Stafford, specialist physiotherapist Dr Trish Neumann, and psychologist Dr Chris Nelson from Memorial Sloan Kettering in USA. Here are 10 highlights from the day.

Sonya was referred to WMHP for obstructed defecation and pain with bowel emptying. However, following a thorough biopsychosocial assessment, it emerged that Sonya’s main concern was dyspareunia. This case study explores the complex inter-relationships of bladder, bowel, and sexual function, and highlights the sequela of increased tension in the pelvic floor muscles (previously termed an “overactive pelvic floor”).

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is only recently being recognised as the “black hole” of men’s health. It’s not well understood by health professionals and has a huge impact on men’s physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing. A holistic management approach is needed to address the complex influences of psycho-social factors as well as the biological ones.

Provoked vulvodynia is one of the many chronic pelvic pain syndromes we see presenting in women. This complex and multifactorial condition has a significant impact on every aspect of the lives of these women who are often young. There is increasing evidence supporting a multi-disciplinary, biopsychosocial approach. This case study illustrates Physiotherapy best practice.