Men Have Pelvic Floors Too: A Guide to Pelvic Health for Men

By Marin Cole, DPT, PT, a pelvic floor physical therapist Empower Your Pelvis, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Yes, you read that right—men have pelvic floor muscles too! And just like women, men can experience pelvic floor dysfunction. This can manifest as pelvic pain, urinary or fecal leakage, constipation, and even erectile dysfunction. The good news? Men’s pelvic floors can be trained and strengthened, just like women’s, to improve these symptoms.

Why Pelvic Floor Health Matters for Men

We often associate pelvic floor issues with women, but men are just as susceptible to pelvic floor dysfunction. In our clinic, we see men every day who are dealing with pelvic floor issues, especially those who have undergone treatment for prostate cancer or have had a prostatectomy. In fact, we’re fortunate enough to work with some men before their prostatectomy, which helps immensely with post-surgery recovery.

But here’s a question to consider: Is your husband or partner experiencing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and not seeking help? As a pelvic health therapist, I often hear from female patients about their husbands’ struggles with incontinence or erectile dysfunction. It got me thinking—why aren’t more men being referred to pelvic floor physical therapy?

Addressing the Silent Struggles Men Face

This blog post is for you, ladies! If your husband or partner is silently dealing with pelvic floor issues, I encourage you to share this with them. Many men mistakenly believe that after undergoing prostate cancer treatment or a prostatectomy, they won’t be able to have a fulfilling sex life again.

This misconception breaks my heart. While it’s true that these treatments can affect the anatomy and function of the muscles responsible for erections and continence, it doesn’t mean all hope is lost. In fact, pelvic floor physical therapy can help retrain these muscles, improving both bladder control and sexual function. So, if your partner is experiencing urinary leakage or is unable to maintain an erection, they too can benefit from pelvic floor therapy.

Hope for Men: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Works

Pelvic floor dysfunction is treatable, even for men who have undergone life-changing procedures like a prostatectomy. Pelvic floor therapy is a powerful tool that can help restore bladder control, reduce pelvic pain, and improve sexual health. Men deserve to know that pelvic health issues aren’t something they have to live with—there is hope for recovery.

Stay tuned! Next week, I’ll be writing about specific exercises and strategies that men can start using to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. But for now, the key takeaway is this: If your male partner is struggling with incontinence or erectile dysfunction, pelvic floor therapy may be the solution they’ve been missing.

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If you're looking for “pelvic floor therapy near me”, consider scheduling a consultation at one of our locations in Kansas City-Overland Park, Kansas, or Lees Summit, Missouri. Click here to book your appointment.

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With wellness in your pelvis-

Amanda Fisher
Owner, Empower Your Pelvis, a pelvic floor PT clinic in Kansas City, Missouri