When most people hear of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy they automatically picture women’s healthcare, likely in relation to pregnancy and childbirth. Even in our own professional organizations in the healthcare world, pelvic health is often incorrectly referred to as “women’s health”. While women are more likely to have pelvic health concerns than are men, pelvic health is by no means a woman-only concern. Recent statistics show 16% of men will be diagnosed with a pelvic pain disorder directly caused by pelvic floor dysfunction in their lifetime. The incidence of other forms of pelvic floor dysfunction such as those that contribute to or directly cause issues with bowel or bladder concerns, sexual dysfunction, or poor core strength are harder to track but certainly much, much higher.
At the end of the day, men absolutely have pelvic floors too. For both men and women, pelvic floors function to provide support to all internal organs, control urination and bowel movements, support sexual health and give stability and strength throughout functional movements. In the same way that pelvic floors function similarly in men and women, they can dysfunction similarly too. Pelvic, testicular or penile pain; bowel concerns such as constipation or fecal incontinence; urinary urgency or incontinence; or sexual concerns such as erectile issues can all be signs that something isn’t quite right with your pelvic floor.
We will go more in depth with specific conditions, considerations, and treatment options as they relate to male pelvic health in future discussions, but one thing I want to make sure we address now is the far too common fear I see from my own patients that they are alone or weird or wrong for having pelvic floor issues as a male. I promise you, none of those fears are true.
As always, please reach out if you have any specific questions about male pelvic health or finding a provider who treats men. We’re here to help!