Pelvic floor physiotherapy has been getting more attention in the last few years. But did you know that male patients can benefit from pelvic floor physio too? It is estimated that up to 16% of men globally are affected by pelvic floor problems or dysfunction. Different issues with prostate health, pelvic floor muscles and the digestive tract can cause a variety of conditions or symptoms that can benefit from treatment.
The pelvic floor is a bowl shaped group of muscles made of 3 layers (similar to a hammock) and is responsible for:
- Maintaining urinary and fecal continence
- Support for pelvic organs
- Sexual function (helping with erection and ejaculation).
Sometimes these muscles can have increased tension which may contribute to pain or constipation. Or there can be weakness (such as in the case following a prostatectomy) that may lead to incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Other structures, like the prostate, surrounding connective tissue, pelvic girdle, and abdominal or thigh muscles may also play a role in symptoms.
Common Symptoms and Conditions
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help with many symptoms or conditions in male patients. The following list gives some examples:
- Chronic constipation
- Pelvic pain
- Incontinence (urinary, or bowel)
- Overactive bladder
- Pre or post prostate surgery to treat UI/Erectile dysfunction (related to weak pelvic floor muscles).
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Persistent low back pain.
- Hernia management (pre or post-surgery)
- Pudendal neuralgia
- Levator Ani syndrome.
- Pudendal neuralgia
- Proctalgia Fugax
- Coccydyndia (painful tail-bone)
How Can A Pelvic Floor Physio Help?
Assessment may entail looking at different movement patterns, such as the low back or hips in addition to how the hip and core muscles are functioning. Pelvic physios will often look as breathing patterns as well, as they play an important role in symptom management. Internal and external pelvic floor assessment are the gold standard for assessment and is key in many cases to get a full understanding of how the pelvic floor muscles are functioning. If, however, if you don’t feel fully comfortable with a full internal examination there are still many benefits to getting treatment and your therapist can work around this if needed.
Treatment may involve a combination of exercises, lots of education, manual therapy (internal or external), breath-work, relaxation training, and lifestyle changes. It is always tailored to the individual, their unique preferences, goals and symptoms.
For more information book a 15 min consult with Natasha our certified Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist.
Smith CP. Male chronic pelvic pain: An update. Indian J Urol. 2016 Jan-Mar;32(1):34-9. doi: 10.4103/0970-1591.173105. PMID: 26941492; PMCID: PMC4756547.