Why Men Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Benefits and Key Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Male Pelvic Health
Though the chats around pelvic floor health predominantly focuses on women, it is crucial to acknowledge that pelvic floor dysfunction affects men equally. We're all made up of the same muscle groups—whether it's our biceps, glutes, or pelvic floor muscles. This means that pelvic floor issues can affect anyone, regardless of sex. It’s important to recognize that pelvic floor dysfunction isn't exclusive to women—men can experience it too.
At Chicago Pelvic, we're proud to be a leading clinic in male pelvic PT. Nearly 30-45% of our clients are men, which really highlights the importance of specialized pelvic floor physical therapy (PT) in men's healthcare. You can learn more about our commitment to helping men find solutions to their pelvic floor concerns in this local news story about our work in mens pelvic PT.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor Muscles
The male pelvic floor is a group of muscles located at the base of the pelvis, supporting organs like the bladder, rectum, and prostate. These muscles are fundamental in managing urinary and bowel functions, sexual performance, and core stability. When these muscles become weak, overly tight, or imbalanced, pelvic floor dysfunction can arise in men, including but not limited to urinary incontinence, constipation, erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, or pelvic organ prolapse.
Visual Diagram of the Male Pelvic Floor
Seeing where the pelvic floor muscles are located and how they are structured in a male body can greatly improve your understanding of how they influence bladder, bowel, sexual, and core functions.
This diagram shows a side view of the male pelvis.
This example shows a great view of how the pelvic floor interacts with bladder, urethra, prostate, rectum, and tailbone.
This diagram shows viewpoint of the pelvis from the bottom looking upward. You can also better see the many different layers of the pelvic floor, and the nerves involved.
The example shows the various muscles of the pelvic floor - ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus, superficial transverse perineal, external anal sphincter, and levator ani, the Coccyx (tailbone), and the pudendal nerves.
Benefits of Pelvic Floor PT for Men
Addressing Urinary Incontinence: Surgeries such as prostatectomy can often result in male urinary incontinence, which can be surprising and distressing for many men. Pelvic floor PT helps to properly strengthen and coordinate these muscles, enhancing bladder control and reducing urinary leakage. Attending pelvic floor PT prior to surgery can greatly reduce incontinence post-prostatectomy.
Managing Erectile Dysfunction: Pelvic floor PT can improve blood flow, increase muscle control, and reduce tension in the pelvic area, helping to manage erectile dysfunction without medications or surgeries.
Alleviating Chronic Pelvic Pain: Men suffering from chronic pelvic pain syndrome, pudendal neuralgia, or chronic prostatitis often have hypertonic pelvic floor muscles. Symptoms can include perineal tightness, penile or testicular pain, the sensation of sitting on a golf ball, or sharp shooting pain in the gluteal, rectal, or genital regions. Pelvic PT can help identify the involved muscles and assist in relaxation strategies to reduce pain and tightness.
Enhancing Post-Surgical Recovery: In surgeries like prostate removal pelvic floor PT is critical before and after to reduce urinary incontinence, and improve sexual function. For other surgeries like hernia repair or vasectomy, pelvic PT can help reduce scar tissue, pain, and restore core strength.
Managing Bowel Dysfunction: Pelvic floor PT is effective for men experiencing bowel dysfunction issues like fecal incontinence, constipation, or dyssynergic defecation. It can improve muscle coordination, reduce rectal muscle tightness, and provide education in healthy bowel habits to improve symptoms.
Reducing tailbone pain: Coccydynia or tailbone pain, often involves tightness in the pelvic floor muscles attached to the coccyx bone. Pelvic floor PT can help relax these muscles, improving sitting tolerance and addressing constipation concerns common with this diagnosis.
Addressing Pain Related to Sex: Men who experience pain or discomfort with erections or ejaculation might have pelvic floor tightness or irritation of the pelvic nerves. Pelvic PT can help identify the source of the tightness or nerve irritation to address these symptoms.
Improving Diastasis Recti: While diastasis recti is often associated with postpartum women, it can also occur in men. Diastasis recti is a weakness in the abdominal wall causing a protrusion or doming effect, often noticeable when sitting up or during exertional activities. Pelvic PTs are well-versed in the correct core exercises to address this.
Unresolved Hip or Back pain: When pelvic floor muscles are not considered in the treatment of back or hip pain, it can often go unresolved despite strengthening or stretching. This is because the pelvic floor is a critical component in the function of these joints.
Reducing Urinary Frequency and UTI symptoms: Chronic prostatitis is a pelvic floor-related condition in men that often presents with urinary frequency, the sensation of a UTI, and pelvic pain. Since 90% of prostatitis cases are muscular in nature, pelvic PT is critical in relieving symptoms.
Incorporating Pelvic Floor Relaxation and Strengthening Exercises
Understanding whether your pelvic floor needs more relaxation or strengthening training is crucial for properly managing men’s pelvic floor concerns. Exercises such as diaphragm breathing, reverse Kegels, and stretches for the hips or back can help calm and relax the pelvic muscles. Additionally, proper strengthening exercises can assist in allowing tight pelvic floor muscles to release. Strengthening exercises are not always Kegels, as many people might believe. It's essential to follow exercises prescribed by a pelvic floor PT specialist to ensure you are doing the right exercises for your body and unique concerns. This approach maximizes benefits and prevents worsening of symptoms.
Consulting a Pelvic Floor PT Specialist
Men noticing signs of pelvic floor dysfunction should consult with a qualified pelvic floor PT specialist. Signs of pelvic floor dysfunction can include urinary incontinence, urinary frequency or urgency, constipation, difficulty fully emptying bowels, pelvic pain in the genitals or rectum, abdominal hernia, erectile dysfunction, and discomfort or changes with erection or ejaculation. Self-treatment should be approached with caution, as it can often worsen symptoms if you don't know exactly what your body needs.
Conclusion: Recognizing the Significance of Male Pelvic Health
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a vital, though often overlooked, component of men’s health care. While pelvic floor health is more commonly discussed in the context of women's health, it's important to acknowledge that pelvic floor dysfunction affects men as well. Increasing awareness and access to specialized male pelvic PT can provide men with effective relief from their pelvic symptoms, ensuring they don't have to navigate these health concerns alone.
Top 10 Benefits of Pelvic Floor PT for Men
Improved Bladder Control: Pelvic floor PT can strengthen and coordinate muscles to enhance bladder control and reduce urinary leakage, especially beneficial pre- and post-prostatectomy.
Enhanced Sexual Health: Pelvic floor PT improves blood flow, muscle control, and reduces pelvic tension to help manage erectile dysfunction naturally.
Pain Reduction: Pelvic floor PT can identify and relax hypertonic pelvic muscles, reducing pain and tightness associated with chronic pelvic pain conditions.
Post-Surgical Recovery: Pelvic floor PT aids in reducing urinary incontinence, improving sexual function, and restoring core strength post-surgery.
Better Bowel Function: Pelvic floor PT improves muscle coordination and reduces rectal tightness, effectively addressing fecal incontinence, constipation, and dyssynergic defecation.
Reduced Tailbone Pain: Pelvic floor PT helps relax tight pelvic muscles attached to the coccyx, alleviating tailbone pain and associated symptoms.
Reduced Pain Related to Sex: Pelvic floor PT can identify and treat tightness or nerve irritation causing pain during erections or ejaculation.
Improved Diastasis Recti: Pelvic floor PT provides targeted core exercises to address abdominal wall weakness and protrusion in men.
Relief of Hip or Back Pain: Considering pelvic floor muscles in treatment can resolve persistent hip or back pain that does not respond to traditional strengthening or stretching.
Control Urinary Frequency and UTI Symptoms: Pelvic floor PT is crucial for relieving symptoms of chronic prostatitis, which is often muscular in nature.
Contact Information
By addressing specific conditions related to the pelvic floor muscles, pelvic floor PT empowers men to regain control, improve their quality of life, and overcome the challenges associated with pelvic floor dysfunction. Prioritizing pelvic floor health and seeking professional assistance can lead to a healthier, more comfortable, and fulfilling life for men of all ages. If you have any questions please reach out to our patient coordinator.
