When most people hear “pelvic floor,” they think of women—especially postpartum moms. But guess what, men: you have a pelvic floor too. And if you’re dealing with urinary leakage, erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, or recovery after prostate surgery, pelvic floor therapy for men may be exactly what you need.
What is the Male Pelvic Floor?
First of all, what is the pelvic floor? It is a group of muscles positioned at the base of the pelvis shaped like a supportive hammock. It functions to provide postural support and stability to pelvic organs, coordinate breathing and trunk pressures, close the urethral and anal canal openings, aid in sexual health, and assist in propelling urine and ejaculate.
Common Pelvic Floor Symptoms in Men
Like any muscle group, the pelvic floor can become weak, tight, or uncoordinated, leading to a range of symptoms.
Some common symptoms men may experience include:
- Urinary leakage (incontinence)
- Erectile dysfunction or reduced sexual performance
- Chronic pelvic, groin, or lower back pain
- Pain during or after ejaculation
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Difficulty starting or fully emptying the bladder
- Prostatitis-like symptoms without infection
These symptoms are more common than most men realize—and they’re highly treatable.
All of these symptoms fall into the realm of what pelvic floor PT can treat. It is more than just doing a bunch of kegels and hoping for the best. A trained physical therapist will complete a comprehensive evaluation of posture, breathing patterns, hip and core strength, and pelvic floor function to determine what is causing your symptoms and create an individualized plan to address it.
Breaking the Stigma
One of the biggest barriers to men seeking pelvic floor care is awareness and stigma. There’s a misconception that talking about urinary leakage or sexual dysfunction is embarrassing and does not typically happen to men. In reality, it takes strength to seek help—and doing so can lead to massive improvements in quality of life and long-term health.
Curious if pelvic floor PT is right for you? Book an appointment today with a pelvic floor specialist at Total Performance PT.
