Understanding Male Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Millions of men suffer from Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, it is estimated that 20% of Americans will suffer some sort of pelvic floor dysfunction in their lifetime.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction can affect anyone regardless of age, sex and race. If you’re a woman, you may also feel discomfort during sexual intercourse, and if you’re a man you may have problems having or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED) or experiencing premature ejaculation.
Brief Overview of Pelvic Floor Muscles
The Pelvic Floor is the layer of pelvic muscles that support the bottom of the pelvis. And the pelvis is the home for your pelvic organs. Pelvic organs include the following:
- The bladder (the pouch that stores your urine)
- The uterus and vagina (in women)
- The prostate (in men)
- The rectum (the final portion of large intestine and ends with your anus)
The pelvic floor muscles support the internal organs of the pelvis and assists with bowel/bladder function as well as sexual function. The pelvic floor muscles of the pelvic region form a sling from your coccyx to your pubic bone. When you experience muscle contractions it can result in pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence.
What is Male Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction is the inability to control your pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor dysfunction is a group of disorders that change the way people have bowel movements and sometimes cause ongoing pain. These disorders can be embarrassing to discuss, may be difficult to diagnose and explain the symptoms and often have a negative effect on quality of life. Symptoms vary by the type of disorder. Many doctors may not be familiar with pelvic floor dysfunction, and it may take leading specialists, such as a colorectal surgeon or physical therapist, to discover that it is a pelvic floor disorder.
Causes of pelvic floor dysfunction
Pelvic Floor dysfunction can be caused by a wide variety of reasons and it is important to take an individualistic approach during pelvic floor physical therapy treatment. Here are some of the few reasons highlighted by physical therapists as a few reasons causing pelvic floor dysfunction.
- Car accident which injured your pelvic area
- Being obese or overweight
- Pelvic area surgery
- Overexerting your pelvic floor muscle by pushing too hard or too often
- Advancing age
- Nerve damage
Male Pelvic Floor Dysfunction We Successfully Treat
- Anal/Rectal Pain
- BPE/BPH
- Chronic Prostatitis
- Constipation
- CPPS
- Epididymitis
- Frequent urination
- Gastrointestinal & Bowel Disorders
- Hard Flaccid
- Incontinence
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Orchialgia/Testalgia
- Painful Urination/Difficulty Urinating
- Penile Pain
- Perineal Pain
- Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)
- Peyronie’s Disease
- Post Prostatatectomy
- Post Vasectomy Pain
- Post-Circumcision Pain
- Post-Prostatectomy
- Proctalgia Fugax
- Pudendal Nerve Entrapment
- Sexual Dysfunction (Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation)
- You need to heal a sports injury
- You just want to move well
- You want to be free from chronic pain in the pelvic floor
- You always have the urge to urinate or you are experiencing painful urination
- You always experience constipation straining, bowel strains or irregular bowel movement
- You feel muscle spasms in the pelvic floor
- You feel discomfort during sexual intercourse
- Urinary conditions, such as:
- Urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine)
- Urinary frequency (You urinate many times during the day)
- Urinary urgency (You always have the urge to urinate)
- Painful urination (Burning sensation while urinating)
- Difficulty stopping or starting urinating
- Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
- Fecal incontinence
- Straining or experiencing pain during bowel movements
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Unexplained pain such as:
- Pelvic pain
- Pain in the genital area
- Rectal pain or pain in the anal canal
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse
While often associated with women, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can also affect men. This condition occurs when the pelvic floor muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs weaken, causing them to sag or bulge. In men, this typically involves the rectum, though other organs like the bladder can also be affected.
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and POP are closely related. The pelvic floor muscles form a sling-like structure that supports the pelvic organs. When these pelvic floor muscles weaken or become dysfunctional, it can lead to POP.
Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Men
- Rectal prolapse: A bulge or feeling of fullness in the rectum.
- Difficulty with bowel movements: Constipation, straining, or incomplete bowel emptying.
- Pain or discomfort: In the pelvic area, rectum, or lower back.
- Sexual dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction or pain during intercourse.
Treatment for POP in men depends on the severity of the condition and the specific symptoms. Options may include:
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles can help improve symptoms and prevent further progression.
- Lifestyle modifications: Dietary changes, increased fiber intake, and regular exercise can help alleviate constipation and reduce strain on the pelvic floor.
- Medications: In some cases, medications may be used to manage symptoms like constipation or pain.
- Surgical intervention: For severe cases of POP, surgery may be necessary to repair the weakened tissues and support the pelvic organs.
Prevention Tips
- Regular exercise: Incorporate pelvic floor exercises into your routine to strengthen the muscles.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can put additional strain on the pelvic floor.
- Avoid straining: When having a bowel movement, avoid straining to prevent further weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.
- Seek prompt medical attention: If you experience any symptoms of POP, consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Don't Suffer in Silence
By recognizing the signs and symptoms of POP and pelvic floor disorders, and seeking timely treatment, men can improve their quality of life and regain control over their bodies. Let’s break the stigma surrounding these conditions and encourage open conversations about men’s pelvic health.
The Treatment
Treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction is a multi-factorial matter, therefore we take an individualistic approach to treating pelvic floor disorders. At Pelvis NYC, we understand the importance of the different elements that affect someone with CPPS (Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome) and Chronic Prostatitis.
Treatment is based on the cause of the dysfunction, unique needs and severity of symptoms. For pelvic pain syndromes, the goal of treatment is to relieve or reduce symptoms. In some cases, a combination of treatment methods helps reduce pain. One of the most common treatments is Biofeedback, a special form of pelvic floor physical therapy aimed at improving muscle function and pelvic floor muscles contraction. Biofeedback is not painful, and helps over 75% of people with pelvic floor dysfunction.
This may include electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles, or manual therapy. Your physical therapist then gives you feedback and works with you to improve your pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms. Your physical therapist will determine which pelvic floor muscles are really tight and teach you exercises to stretch these muscles so their relaxation and coordination can be improved. In addition, there are exercises (kegel exercises and other pelvic floor exercises) that may be done at home which can help improve symptoms of chronic pelvic pain.
Since patients who suffer from overactive bladder, urinary/fecal incontinence or erectile dysfunction often actively try to hide their condition out of embarrassment.
Physical therapist at Pelvis NYC are experts at evaluating and treating the multifaceted conditions that cause Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Men. The main goal for treating pelvic floor dysfunction is to relax the pelvic floor muscles, provide minimally invasive treatment using manual therapy and exercise to maximize outcomes.
Our goal at Pelvis NYC is to create a platform where men can share their experiences without any judgment and give them hope that pelvic floor dysfunction can be treated without the need for invasive surgery. Biological and psychosocial models are all taken into account during treatment.
Patient Success Stories
We are proud to share the success stories of our patients, whose lives have been positively transformed through our care.
I’ve been dealing with Chronic Pelvic Pain for close to 3 years now and can say it’s been far and away the most difficult thing I’ve ever experienced. There is no aspect of a person’s life that this condition doesn’t impact, and it can get incredibly dark and demoralizing. I’ve seen probably a dozen different doctors during this time and made little to no progress during that period. This being despite the fact that I’d been passed between G.Ps, Urologists, and Gastros. I’d also had an Endoscopy, a Colonoscopy, a round of pelvic floor PT with a different practitioner and been put on countless meds. I’d been given a lot of false hope during this period and it was beginning to feel like I would never find a resolution to this issue. Reading about Dr. Adam’s personal experience was the first time I felt seen, and encountered someone who actually seemed to understand this issue. He was incredibly reassuring on the phone and gave me a sense of hope. I got scheduled right away and have worked with Josh in the time since. Josh has been great, he has the rare quality of being incredibly knowledgeable and proficient in his work while also being an extremely kind and easy person to talk to. He takes what could be an incredibly uncomfortable experience in theory and manages to make it not only comfortable but actually something to look forward to. Working with him provides relief physically, but he also takes the time to get to know you as a person and makes you laugh as well. I’m really grateful for both Adam and Josh and could not recommend their services more highly to anyone suffering with this issue.
Jack Daly
I highly recommend Adam if you’re dealing with pelvic floor issues. I had struggled to find an effective specialist in the field and feel fortunate to have found him. He is incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, and attentive. Adam always goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and safe discussing such a sensitive topic and its treatment. He effectively relieved the symptoms I had been suffering from for quite some time. Adam’s help led to steady and lasting improvements for me. Can’t recommend him enough.
Timothy Appnel
Book Your Free Teleconsultation Today
Ready to start your journey free from painful pelvic floor dysfunction? We ensure you receive the best possible benefit of physical therapy.
Easy and Convenient Scheduling Options
We understand that your time is valuable, which is why we offer easy and convenient scheduling options. Our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for you. Here’s how you can book your consultation:
Online Booking
Go to this calendar and book a 15-minute teleconsultation at a time that works best for you.
Phone Call
This phone call will serve as your one on one time 15-minute teleconsultation, where we can discuss your symptoms and medical history.
In-Person Appointments
After your initial teleconsultation, Dr. Adam Gvili and other physical therapists will work with you to schedule an in-person consultation and develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your availability.
Call or text us directly at 929-590-3445 to speak with our knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Send us an email at hello@pelvis.nyc with your inquiries and we’ll respond promptly.
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We strive to make your visits as convenient as possible. Located at 110 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011, our clinic is easily accessible and offers flexible hours to fit your busy schedule. Whether you’re commuting from work, school, or home, our prime location ensures a hassle-free visit.
Start Your Journey to Recovery Today
Don’t let pain hold you back. Whether you’re struggling with chronic pelvic pain, urinary or bowel issues, or sexual dysfunction,
our expert team at Pelvis NYC is here to help.