When people think about pelvic floor pain, they often picture it as only a women’s issue. This cannot be further from the truth. Men experience pelvic floor dysfunction, too.
The male pelvic floor plays a vital role in bladder, bowel, sexual and core function. Just like other muscle groups, it needs to be strong, flexible and well-coordinated to do its job. When pelvic floor muscles are weak, tight or uncoordinated, people may notice changes in body functions and experience pain.
What are the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, what factors can cause it, and why is physical therapy for the pelvic floor beneficial?
Male pelvic floor dysfunction can show up in several ways:
- urinary urgency or dribbling after urination,
- pelvic pressure or heaviness,
- constipation or straining with bowel movements,
- change in sexual function – pain, erectile difficulty or decreased sensation.
Muscles may be too weak, or muscles may be too tight or overactive. Don’t think you have to live with it. A pelvic floor physical therapist can help by listening to your story, asking questions, and collaborating with you to develop a treatment plan.
Prostate Disorders can Contribute to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
The prostate gland is a small organ surrounding the urethra and located just below the male bladder. Regular check-ups of the prostate are important. The earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat. Early awareness is key.
For possible prostate dysfunction, screening options include:
- prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test,
- urine analysis,
- digital rectal exam (DRE), and
- semen analysis.
If something feels off — don’t ignore it. Early detection and preventative treatment can make a difference.
Prostastitis refers to inflammation of the prostate. It can cause pelvic floor dysfunction.
There are four main types of prostatitis:
- acute bacterial prostatitis,
- chronic bacterial prostatitis,
- chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), and
- asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.
Symptoms may include pelvic or low back pain, urinary frequency or urgency, painful urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, erectile dysfunction or even blood in urine or semen.
Treatment depends on the type of prostatitis:
- bacterial prostatitis (acute or chronic): typically treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics for 2–4 weeks, adjusted based on bacterial strain or resistance.
- Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS): often treated with a multimodal approach, including anti-inflammatories, alpha-blockers, pelvic floor physical therapy and sometimes shockwave therapy.
- asymptomatic prostatitis: typically treated in the same way, but antibiotics are generally avoided unless there is an increase in PSA levels.
The most effective plans treat more than just the prostate. But know that even after treatment, flare-ups can occur. Common flare-up triggers include:
- prolonged sitting,
- constipation,
- stress or anxiety,
- heavy lifting or straining.
When you are stressed, physically or emotionally, symptoms can return. Tracking when symptoms return helps identify triggers. This is the first step toward managing them.
Occasionally, it becomes necessary to perform a prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate), for example, as the result of cancer or severe enlargement. Following surgery, men may experience urinary changes, bowel changes or changes in sexual function. Pelvic floor physical therapy can play a huge role in post-surgical recovery, helping you regain control, reduce pain and restore quality of life.
Prostate Disorder Pain vs. Other Male Pelvic Pain Conditions
Not all male pelvic pain is due to the prostate. Pain may result from:
- pelvic floor muscle myalgia (muscle pain or spasm),
- constipation or bowel dysfunction,
- nerve irritation,
- bladder dysfunction,
- sexual pain or performance concerns.
A pelvic floor therapist can pinpoint the issue and develop a tailored treatment plan with you. They will look at muscle coordination and tension, breathing patterns, posture and your overall movement.
Therapy options include:
- muscle relaxation and release techniques,
- gentle strengthening,
- bladder and bowel retraining,
- breathing and core coordination,
- lifestyle and trigger management.
Mayo Clinic research indicates that about 16% of men suffer from pelvic floor disorders, though most focus is typically on women’s pelvic health. Male pelvic floor problems are common and treatable. It takes courage to talk about them and to seek help, but that’s how recovery begins. You deserve to move comfortably, feel confident, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Welcome New Patients
Solstice Physiotherapy accepts new patients at our four New York Locations, including New York City: Midtown & Downtown, Long Island, and Westchester.
Contact us to make an appointment for your initial evaluation.
We do accept insurance and are out-of-network providers.