There is a common misconception that only women need pelvic floor physical therapy. This is simply not the case! Men have pelvic floor muscles, and therefore, they need pelvic floor PT as well!
Key Differences in Male Pelvic Health:
- Longer urethral length: Men typically have a longer urethra, which makes urinary incontinence and urgency less common. However, they do not have the same pelvic muscles that women rely on to support the urethra.
- Prostate gland: Men have a prostate, which helps support the bladder and contributes to continence and sexual function. The prostate can also become painful due to enlargement, cancer, inflammation, or other disease.
- Larger bladder capacity: Men typically have a larger bladder capacity due to increased body size. However, bladder size is usually proportionate to a person’s overall size.
- Less likely to report issues: Men are typically less likely to report urinary, bowel, or sexual dysfunction concerns due to embarrassment, lack of understanding of the pelvic floor, or past experiences of being dismissed by the medical system, which may not fully understand male pelvic health.
3 Common Reasons Men Seek Pelvic Floor PT and How PT Can Help
1. Prostate Concerns:
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- Prostatitis: The prostate can become irritated and inflamed, leading to a condition called “prostatitis.” The pelvic floor often becomes tight secondary to the pain, which can cause pelvic discomfort, painful urination, urgency, and pain or difficulty with intimacy.
- Prostate Cancer: Treatment for prostate cancer typically involves radiation or prostate removal. Removal changes the pelvic floor anatomy and provides less support for the bladder. It can also damage pelvic floor muscles or nerves, often causing urinary incontinence, urgency, and pain or difficulty with erections.
- Enlarged Prostate (BPH): Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causes prostate enlargement without disease. This enlargement can place pressure on the bladder, leading to urgency and leakage.
How PT can help: Pelvic floor PT can assist men with prostate issues by working on exercises to relax the pelvic floor, retraining the pelvic floor muscles after radiation or surgery, and providing education to help manage symptoms.
2. Testicular Pain: Testicular pain is a common issue for men and is often related to nerve involvement, tightness or weakness in the abdominals, or tightness of the external pelvic floor muscles.
How PT Can Help: Pelvic floor PT can assess the cause of the testicular pain and provide treatment through soft tissue mobilization, nerve glides, and abdominal strengthening.
3. Back, Groin, and Hip Pain: The pelvic floor is an integral part of the core musculature. Tightness, weakness, or decreased awareness of the pelvic floor can contribute to low back, groin, and hip pain.
How PT Can Help: Pelvic floor PT can assess the entire core system, including the pelvic floor, to determine if it’s contributing to the pain.
Male pelvic floor issues are more common than you think—don’t hesitate to reach out for help.