Why Should Men Seek a Pelvic Floor Therapist?

By Dr. Aimee Anagnostos, PT, DPT on 1/16/2023

Pelvic floor therapy has been seen as a speciality for women, particularly that of pre or post-partum women, but pelvic floor therapy can benefit anyone!

Here at Pelvic Health, we treat all genders and intersections. Pelvic floor dysfunctions for men can usually be categorized into issues related to gastrointestinal systems, musculoskeletal systems, or sexual dysfunctions.

Below listed are just a few of the different cases that we treat:

• Painful urination

• Frequent & involuntary urination

• Painful ejaculation

• Constipation

• Hemorrhoids

• Hernias

• Erectile dysfunction

• Pain after having a bowel movement

• Testicular or penile pain

You can expect a comprehensive and holistic evaluation that takes into account both your history and your goals. After the evaluation, we will educate you on the findings and will create an individualized plan of care to return to salient activities involving your work, recreation, and relationships.

Let’s get to know the functions of the pelvic floor and how PT can help.

1. Sphincteric: This serves as the “gatekeeper” of urine and feces to prevent leakage. The muscles of the pelvic floor wrap around and control the opening of your bladder and rectum. When there is an increase in abdominal pressure (for example when you cough, sneeze, laugh or jump), these muscles contract around your urethra and anus to prevent leakage. We will assess sphinteric function to determine whether we need to lengthen or strengthen the muscles surrounding the rectum or urethra.

2. Support: The pelvic floor muscles act as a hammock to support our pelvic organs (bladder, rectum and uterus). Gravity, pressure, heavy lifting, if not done properly, can create laxity in this hammock and lead to dysfunctions. With excess strain on the pelvic floor, given poor breathing or lifting biomechanics, or with weakening of the pelvic floor (with age or hormonal changes), the pelvic organs can start to cause pressure/ heaviness.

3. Stability: The pelvic floor muscles share connective tissue with the “6-pack abs” and the deep abdominals. Therefore, pelvic floor muscles aid abdominal, hip and back muscles to control movement of the sacroiliac and hip joints. If you are trying to strengthen your core — your pelvic floor should be a part of your training program!

4. Sexual: pelvic floor muscles help to achieve and sustain an erection and allow for penetration. Sufficient strength of the pelvic floor muscles is necessary for orgasm. Excessive tenderness can cause pain with intercourse.

5. Sump-pump: Gravity and stress push blood and lymph downward and the pelvic floor acts as a pump to decrease swelling and help body fluid travel back to the heart where fluid can be filtered. Just as pumping the calves can decrease lower leg swelling, the pelvic floor can decrease swelling or pelvic congestion.

If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, Please reach out to us here at the Pelvic Health Center in Madison, NJ to set up an evaluation & assessment! Feel free to call us 908-443-9880 or email us at contact@pelvichealthnj.com.

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