When men experience sexual dysfunction, the first thoughts often turn to medication or more invasive treatments. However, for a significant number of men, the solution may lie closer to home—specifically, in the strength and coordination of their pelvic floor muscles.
Male Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT) is an increasingly recognized and highly effective, non-pharmacological approach to improving various aspects of male sexual health.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles located at the base of your pelvis, forming a sling that supports your bladder, bowel, and sexual organs. These muscles are intimately involved in processes like blood flow, nerve function, and ejaculation. When they are not functioning optimally—whether too weak or too tight—sexual health can suffer.
Understanding the Link: Pelvic Floor and Male Sexual Health
Here’s how the pelvic floor muscles directly impact common male sexual dysfunctions:
Erectile Dysfunction (ED):
The Role of Muscles: The pelvic floor muscles, particularly the bulbocavernosus and ischiocavernosus muscles, play a crucial role in achieving and maintaining an erection. They help compress veins in the penis, trapping blood and making the erection rigid.
How PFPT Helps: For men with ED related to pelvic floor weakness, therapy focuses on strengthening these specific muscles. Research has shown that targeted pelvic floor muscle training can be as effective as, or even more effective than, some medications for certain types of ED. Strengthening these muscles improves blood flow to the penis and enhances the ability to maintain rigidity.
Premature Ejaculation (PE):
The Role of Muscles: The same pelvic floor muscles involved in erections also control ejaculation. When these muscles are overactive or lack proper control, ejaculation can occur more quickly than desired.
How PFPT Helps: PFPT for PE often involves learning to control and relax these muscles. Techniques focus on increasing awareness and voluntary control over the pelvic floor, which can help delay ejaculation. This often includes practicing "reverse Kegels" (pelvic floor relaxation) and coordinated breathing techniques.
Painful Ejaculation:
The Role of Muscles: Sometimes, the pelvic floor muscles can become chronically tight or develop painful trigger points (hypertonicity). This tension can lead to discomfort or outright pain during ejaculation.
How PFPT Helps: A therapist will use manual therapy techniques (both internal and external) to release this muscle tension, improve tissue flexibility, and alleviate trigger points. Relaxation exercises and biofeedback also teach the patient to consciously relax these muscles.
Post-Prostatectomy Sexual Changes:
The Role of Muscles: After prostate surgery (e.g., for prostate cancer), men often experience a decline in erectile function and sometimes changes in ejaculation.
How PFPT Helps: Strengthening the pelvic floor before and after surgery can significantly aid in the recovery of erectile function and urinary control. This proactive and reactive therapy helps optimize blood flow and nerve function in the area, supporting sexual recovery.
What Does Male PFPT for Sexual Dysfunction Involve?
Male pelvic floor therapy is a discreet and personalized process performed by a specially trained physical therapist. At our clinic Male Pelvic Floor Therapy is done only by Dr. Greg Spooner who is specifically trained in Male Pelvic Floor Therapy.
Comprehensive Assessment: Our PT will conduct a thorough evaluation similar to your standard PT eval with a few extra steps if necessary, which may include assessing posture, core strength, and the strength and coordination of your pelvic floor muscles. This sometimes (but not always) may involve an internal assessment (rectal exam) to directly evaluate muscle function. Share with Dr. Spooner directly during your PT eval if you have any concerns or hesitations to have internal exams performed.
Targeted Exercises: You'll learn specific exercises tailored to your needs. This goes beyond simple Kegels and includes techniques to:
Strengthen: For weakness, to improve erectile function and control.
Relax: For tightness, to reduce pain and improve flexibility.
Coordinate: To improve overall control during sexual activity.
Education and Lifestyle Modifications: Your therapist will provide guidance on proper body mechanics, breathing techniques, and strategies for incorporating pelvic floor health into your daily life and sexual activity.
Taking Control of Your Sexual Health
Sexual dysfunction can be a deeply personal and often distressing issue. While medication has its place, it doesn't address underlying muscular or neurological contributors. Male pelvic floor therapy offers a powerful, non-invasive, and empowering alternative or complement to other treatments. By optimizing the function of these crucial muscles, men can regain confidence, reduce pain, and significantly improve their sexual health and overall quality of life. If you're struggling, consider exploring how PFPT might be the solution you've been looking for.
At Fiziologix Physical Therapy, all Male Pelvic Floor PT sessions are self-paid.