Not Just for Women: The Male Pelvic Floor Explained

Males have pelvic floors too!

Just like in females, the male pelvic floor is a group of muscles that stretch like a sling from the pubic bone (at the front), to the tailbone (at the back), and between the ischial tuberosity (sit bone) on each side.

The main role of these pelvic floor muscles is to support the bladder and bowel. The muscles have openings that allow the urethra (from the bladder) and rectum (from the bowel) to pass through. When the pelvic floor muscles are working correctly, they relax to allow the passage of urine or stool, and contract to prevent the involuntary loss of urine or stool. The pelvic floor muscles also assist with sexual sensation and function.

Though the male pelvic floor may look somewhat different than a females, they too can develop dysfunction relating to muscles that are weak, stretched, or under active.

Common causes for weak pelvic floor muscles in males include:

• Surgery for bladder or bowel problems, including prostatectomy

• Constipation

• Excess body weight

• Regular heavy lifting

• Regular high impact exercise

• Chronic, persistent coughing

• Ageing

Males can also develop dysfunction relating to pelvic floor muscles that are tight, “hypertonic”, or overactive.

Signs/Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction in males:

• Pain in the groin, abdomen, tailbone, perineum, rectum, penis, testicle, hips, and/or lower back

• Urinary and/or fecal incontinence

• Difficulty starting urination or weak urine stream

• Frequent urination (i.e. greater than 8 times per day)

• Pain with bowel movements

• Constipation or straining with bowel movements

• Difficulty achieving or maintaining erection

• Pain prior to, during, and/or after intercourse/orgasm