Can Pelvic Floor Physio Help Men?
*For the content below, the words “male” or “men” and “female” or “women” refer to the gender assigned at birth. The below mentioned conditions are relating to the presentation of a penis/testes/prostate.
Just like in females, the male pelvic floor is a group of muscles that stretch like a sling from the pubic bone (at the front), to the tailbone (at the back), and between the ischial tuberosity (sit bone) on each side.
The main role of the pelvic floor muscles are to support the bladder and bowel. The muscles have openings that allow the urethra (from the bladder) and rectum (from the bowel) to pass through. When the pelvic floor muscles are working correctly, they relax to allow the passage of urine or stool, and contract to prevent the involuntary loss of urine or stool. The pelvic floor muscles also assist with sexual sensation and function.
Though the male pelvic floor may look somewhat different than a females, they too can develop dysfunction relating to muscles that are weak, stretched, or under active.
Common causes for weak pelvic floor muscles in males include:
- Surgery for bladder or bowel problems, including prostatectomy
- Constipation
- Excess body weight
- Regular heavy lifting
- Regular high impact exercise
- Chronic, persistent coughing
- Ageing
Males can also develop dysfunction relating to pelvic floor muscles that are tight, “hypertonic”, or overactive.
Signs/Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction in males:
Pain in the groin, abdomen, tailbone, perineum, rectum, penis, testicle, hips, and/or lower back
Urinary and/or fecal incontinence
Difficulty starting urination or weak urine stream
Frequent urination (i.e. greater than 8 times per day)
Pain with bowel movements
Constipation or straining with bowel movements
Difficulty achieving or maintaining erection
Pain prior to, during, and/or after intercourse/orgasm
A thorough and detailed pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment can help identify and treat the symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction.