Your Man May Want To See A Pelvic Floor Therapist IF….

Written by: Dr. Andrea Higgins
@andreayarbrough_pfdoc

If you have a pelvis with a penis and testicles, these FIVE signs may be a warning that your engine needs some fine tuning…aka pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT)

1. He’s ejaculating within less than 2 minutes from insertion. 

1. This is called premature ejaculation and can be affected by the pelvic floor muscles. Oftentimes, men assume that they should be performing kegels if this happens, but in fact they should know how to relax the pelvic floor muscles to last longer in bed. PFPT can help teach these muscles how to lengthen and contract appropriately when it’s gametime. 

1. Tip- when you feel you’re about to ejaculate, slow down, take a few deep breaths in and out and try to continue. 

2. He’s sitting on the toilet for longer than 5 minutes when having a bowel movement. 

1. I’m looking at every man in the universe. Why is this a universal thing? Sitting on the toilet for longer than 5 minutes attempting to have a BM (or scrolling through Bleacher Report, IG, or TikTok) can increase risk for hemorrhoids. The position it puts our organs and pelvic floor muscles in plus the pressure from gravity and how you’re breathing, largely impacts if you’ll have hemorrhoids, fissures, or a rectal prolapse. 

1. Here is a tip- when you get the urge to have a BM- go, but you should be done with your business in less than 5 minutes. Make sure to let your butthole muscles relax and breathe. No straining. No pushing. No bearing down. 

3. He’s experiencing recurring back and/or hip pain. 

1. Most of us have had a bout of back or hip discomfort. Any ache or pain in the body is a warning for us to take action but I've seen that most DO not. Due to our anatomy with the pelvic floor muscles providing stability for the lower back and hip complex, if your back and/or hip is agitated, I BET your pelvic floor muscles have something to do with it. 

1. Next time you’re experiencing back or hip pain, see a physical therapist to correct muscle imbalances that contribute to the discomfort. If it’s still lagging or not 100% better, see a PFPT.

4. He has or has had inguinal, sports, and/or hiatal hernias. 

1. This is one of the number one things I treat as a PFPT. Males coming in to be proactive and wanting to avoid a hernia repair surgery. Oftentimes, hernias come from pressure mismanagement or asymmetries. Meaning, poor breathing patterns (breath holding with lifting or BMs, and weakness in certain muscles, while others are in a tightened position).  

5. He has had a vasectomy or a prostatectomy.

1. Both of these surgeries are going to impact the integrity of the pelvic floor region. Vasectomies have shown an increase in pelvic pain post-op. Prostatectomies have shown an increase in urinary incontinence and pelvic pain post-op.

1. I would suggest seeing a PFPT prior to getting the surgery so your recovery goes smoothly. 

   These are just a few of the main symptoms or signs that I commonly see in practice as a pelvic floor therapist that treat men. As always, if you’re dealing with any bladder, bowel, or sexual dysfunction, reach out to a pelvic floor therapist.