When you hear the words "pelvic floor," what comes to mind? For many people, it's pregnancy, childbirth or women's health. But here's something that surprises many of our male patients: Men have a pelvic floor too. And when these muscles aren't working as they should, they can contribute to a wide range of symptoms that are often overlooked, misdiagnosed or simply accepted as "part of getting older." The good news? Many pelvic floor issues are treatable, and you don't have to live with them. What is the pelvic floor? The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sits at the base of the pelvis like a supportive hammock. In men, these muscles help: support the bladder and bowel control urination and bowel movements contribute to sexual function provide stability for the pelvis and lower back coordinate with your breathing and core muscles. Like any other muscle group, they can become weak, overactive, poorly coordinated or painful. 1. You're going to the toilet "just in case" Do you find yourself using the toilet before leaving the house, before meetings or whenever you see a bathroom—even when you don't really need to go? While this habit can seem harmless, it may contribute to bladder urgency over time. If you're frequently: rushing to the toilet needing to urinate often waking multiple times overnight struggling to hold on, your pelvic floor and bladder coordination may be worth assessing. 2. You leak urine Bladder leakage isn't just a women's issue. Some men notice leakage: after prostate surgery during exercise when coughing or sneezing after they've finished urinating (post-void dribbling) without warning. Many men are embarrassed to bring this up, but it's a common reason to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist. 3. You have ongoing pelvic pain Pain in the pelvis isn't always coming from the prostate. Persistent pain may be felt in the: perineum (between the scrotum and anus) tailbone lower abdomen groin penis testicles hips. In some men, overactive or sensitive pelvic floor muscles contribute to these symptoms. 4. You struggle to empty your bowels Your pelvic floor muscles need to relax for a bowel motion to pass comfortably. If they don't coordinate well, you may experience: constipation straining incomplete emptying prolonged time on the toilet. Improving pelvic floor coordination can be an important part of managing bowel symptoms. 5. Sitting is uncomfortable Does sitting for long periods increase your discomfort? Persistent aching around the tailbone, deep pelvis or perineum may be related to several different conditions, including pelvic floor dysfunction. A comprehensive assessment can help identify contributing factors. 6. Sex has become painful—or isn't functioning the way it used to The pelvic floor also plays an important role in sexual health. Pelvic floor dysfunction may contribute to: pain during or after ejaculation erectile dysfunction in some cases reduced confidence pelvic muscle tension during intimacy. Because sexual function can be influenced by many factors—including cardiovascular health, hormones, medications and psychological wellbeing—it's important to have a thorough assessment to understand what's contributing to your symptoms. 7. You've had prostate surgery Pelvic floor physiotherapy is commonly recommended before and after prostate surgery. Treatment may help improve: bladder control confidence returning to activity pelvic floor muscle coordination recovery following surgery. If you're preparing for prostate surgery, seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist beforehand can help you learn the correct exercises and what to expect during recovery. It's not always about weakness One of the biggest misconceptions is that pelvic floor problems are always caused by weak muscles. In reality, some men have pelvic floor muscles that are too tight, don't relax well or aren't coordinating properly. That's why doing pelvic floor exercises you find online isn't always the best approach. A personalised assessment is the safest way to determine what your body actually needs. When should you see a pelvic floor physiotherapist? Consider booking an assessment if you have: bladder leakage urinary urgency or frequency constipation or straining pelvic or tailbone pain pain around the penis, scrotum or perineum pain with ejaculation difficulty returning to exercise after prostate surgery ongoing symptoms that aren't improving. Many men wait months—or even years—before seeking help because they assume these symptoms are normal. They're common, but they aren't something you have to simply live with. Frequently Asked Questions Do men have pelvic floor muscles? Yes. Men have pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and bowel, assist with continence, contribute to sexual function and work with the core muscles to provide stability. Can a pelvic floor physiotherapist help men? Absolutely. Pelvic floor physiotherapists assess and treat a range of conditions affecting men, including bladder leakage, pelvic pain, constipation, and recovery after prostate surgery. Should men do Kegel exercises? Not always. While pelvic floor strengthening is beneficial for some men, others have muscles that are overactive or poorly coordinated. An assessment helps determine whether strengthening, relaxation or a combination of approaches is most appropriate. The Bottom Line Pelvic floor problems are far more common in men than many people realise. Whether it's bladder leakage, pelvic pain, constipation or changes in sexual function, these symptoms are not something you should ignore or simply put down to ageing. The first step is understanding what's causing your symptoms. From there, a pelvic floor physiotherapist can develop a personalised treatment plan to help you regain confidence, comfort and control. You don't have to put up with pelvic floor symptoms just because you're a man. If something doesn't feel right, book an assessment with one of our pelvic health physiotherapists and take the first step towards getting back to doing the things you enjoy.

If you've ever leaked urine when you coughed, sneezed, or exercised, chances are someone has told you to "just do your Kegels." It's one of the most common pieces of advice given for pelvic floor issues—but it's not always the right advice. In fact, for some people, doing more Kegels can actually make their symptoms worse. The truth is that your pelvic floor isn't just about strength. It's about strength, coordination, flexibility, endurance, and the ability to both contract and relax . Just like any other muscle in your body, your pelvic floor needs balance. What are Kegels? Kegels are exercises that involve consciously contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles. They can be incredibly effective for some people, particularly those with weakness contributing to bladder leakage or reduced pelvic floor support. However, they're not a one-size-fits-all solution. Before starting any pelvic floor exercise program, it's important to know why you're experiencing symptoms in the first place. When should you stop doing Kegels? If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, it's worth seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist before continuing with strengthening exercises. 1. You have pelvic pain Pain is not usually a sign that a muscle simply needs to get stronger. Many people with pelvic pain actually have overactive or tight pelvic floor muscles that struggle to relax. Adding repeated contractions may increase muscle tension rather than improve symptoms. 2. Sex is painful Pain during intercourse can have many causes, but an overactive pelvic floor is one possible contributor. If your pelvic floor muscles are already working overtime, strengthening exercises alone are unlikely to address the underlying issue. Treatment often focuses on helping the muscles learn to relax, lengthen and coordinate appropriately. 3. You're constantly rushing to the toilet Urgency doesn't always mean your pelvic floor is weak. Sometimes the muscles surrounding the bladder and urethra remain tense, creating altered bladder signals or poor coordination. A comprehensive assessment can help determine what's driving your symptoms. 4. You struggle to empty your bladder or bowels Your pelvic floor needs to relax to allow urine and stool to pass. If these muscles don't let go properly, you may experience: constipation straining incomplete emptying difficulty starting your urine stream. Doing repeated Kegels without addressing relaxation may not be helpful. 5. You feel tight "down there" Some people describe: a feeling of pressure tightness aching muscle spasms difficulty inserting tampons discomfort during pelvic examinations. These symptoms may suggest your pelvic floor is overactive rather than weak. 6. Your symptoms are getting worse If you've been faithfully doing Kegels for weeks or months but your symptoms haven't improved—or they've become worse—it's time to stop guessing. Pelvic floor dysfunction is complex, and not every problem is solved with strengthening exercises. Isn't a stronger pelvic floor always better? Not necessarily. Imagine someone whose shoulders are permanently shrugged up towards their ears. Would giving them shoulder shrugs all day solve the problem? Probably not. Instead, you'd want to help those muscles relax, move normally and regain healthy function. The pelvic floor works the same way. A muscle that's constantly switched on isn't necessarily a strong muscle—it's often a muscle that's working inefficiently. Healthy pelvic floor muscles need to: contract when needed relax fully respond quickly generate appropriate force coordinate with your breathing and core muscles. So who actually needs Kegels? Kegels may be recommended for people experiencing certain types of: stress urinary incontinence (leaking with coughing, sneezing or exercise) reduced pelvic floor strength after pregnancy some cases of pelvic organ prolapse recovery after certain surgeries. Even then, the exercises should be tailored to your individual needs rather than copied from an app or social media video. How do you know if your pelvic floor is weak or tight? The short answer is—you can't tell based on symptoms alone. Many symptoms overlap. For example, both weak and overactive pelvic floor muscles can contribute to: bladder leakage urinary urgency pelvic discomfort feelings of pelvic heaviness. That's why an assessment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist is so valuable. Rather than guessing, they'll assess how your muscles: contract relax coordinate respond during movement work alongside your breathing and core. From there, they can develop a treatment plan that's specific to your body and your goals. Frequently Asked Questions Can Kegels make pelvic pain worse? Yes. If your pelvic floor muscles are already overactive or unable to relax properly, repeatedly contracting them may increase tension and aggravate symptoms. An assessment can help determine whether strengthening, relaxation, or a combination of both is appropriate. Should I stop doing Kegels if they hurt? Pelvic floor exercises shouldn't be painful. If they cause discomfort or worsen your symptoms, stop the exercises and seek advice from a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Are Kegels bad? Not at all. Kegels are an effective treatment for many people—but only when they're prescribed for the right reason. Like any exercise, they work best when they're matched to the individual rather than applied as a universal solution. The Bottom Line Kegels can be incredibly effective—but they're not the answer to every pelvic floor problem. If you've been doing pelvic floor exercises without improvement, or you're experiencing pelvic pain, painful intercourse, constipation or difficulty emptying your bladder, your muscles may need a different approach. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can assess exactly how your muscles are functioning and develop a treatment plan that's tailored to your needs—not just your symptoms. Don't guess whether you should be doing Kegels. If your symptoms aren't improving, book a pelvic floor assessment and find out what your body really needs.

Have you ever noticed that when your gut is playing up, your bladder seems worse too? Or that constipation seems to make your pelvic pain flare? Maybe you've spent months treating your digestive symptoms, but no one has ever asked about your pelvic floor. You're not alone. One of the biggest misconceptions is that the gut, bladder and pelvic floor are separate systems. In reality, they work together every single day. When one isn't functioning well, the others often feel the effects. Understanding this connection can be the missing piece for people who have been struggling with symptoms that never seem to improve completely. What is the pelvic floor? Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sits like a supportive hammock at the base of your pelvis. These muscles play an important role in: controlling your bladder and bowel supporting your pelvic organs contributing to sexual function coordinating with your breathing and core muscles helping you empty your bladder and bowels. The pelvic floor isn't just about stopping leaks—it's involved in almost everything that happens within your pelvis. So how are the gut and pelvic floor connected? Every time you have a bowel motion, your gut and pelvic floor need to work as a team. As stool moves through your bowel, your pelvic floor muscles should relax and lengthen to allow it to pass comfortably. If the muscles don't relax properly—or if they're constantly tense—emptying your bowels can become difficult. Likewise, ongoing constipation or repeated straining can place extra stress on the pelvic floor, sometimes contributing to pain, bladder symptoms or feelings of pelvic heaviness. It's a two-way relationship: Gut problems can affect the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect the gut. Constipation is more than a bowel problem Many people think constipation simply means not going to the toilet often enough. But constipation can also cause: pelvic pain lower abdominal discomfort bladder urgency bladder leakage pain during bowel motions a feeling of incomplete emptying. A full bowel can place pressure on nearby structures, including the bladder, while repeated straining can overload the pelvic floor muscles. This is why improving bowel health is often an important part of treating pelvic floor symptoms. Bloating isn't "just bloating" If your abdomen feels swollen or uncomfortable most days, your pelvic floor may also be working harder than it needs to. When your abdomen is under increased pressure—whether from bloating, constipation or repeated straining—the pelvic floor has to respond. Over time, this may contribute to muscle fatigue, overactivity or poor coordination in some people. Bloating itself has many possible causes, so it's important to identify what's driving the symptom rather than assuming it's purely digestive. Your bowel can affect your bladder Have you ever noticed you need to wee more often when you're constipated? You're not imagining it. A bowel that's full of stool can place pressure on the bladder, reducing the amount of urine it comfortably holds. Some people notice: needing to urinate more frequently sudden urinary urgency difficulty emptying their bladder bladder leakage. Treating constipation may improve these symptoms for some people, although bladder problems can have multiple contributing factors. The role of the pelvic floor Sometimes the gut isn't the primary problem. Instead, the pelvic floor muscles don't relax properly when it's time to empty the bowel. This can make it feel like: you have to strain stool gets "stuck" you never empty completely you're spending a long time on the toilet. Even with plenty of fibre and water, bowel motions may still be difficult if the muscles aren't coordinating effectively. Why treating just one symptom isn't always enough Imagine trying to fix a bicycle by pumping up the tyres when the chain has fallen off. You might improve one problem, but the bike still won't work properly. The same applies to pelvic health. Treating constipation without addressing pelvic floor dysfunction—or focusing only on the bladder while ignoring bowel habits—may mean important pieces of the puzzle are missed. Looking at the whole system often leads to better long-term outcomes. How can a pelvic floor physiotherapist help? A pelvic floor physiotherapist looks at how your bladder, bowel, pelvic floor and breathing work together. Your assessment may include: bowel habits bladder symptoms pelvic floor muscle function breathing patterns toileting posture abdominal muscle coordination lifestyle factors that may influence your symptoms. Treatment is tailored to your needs and may include: bowel habit education pelvic floor muscle training or relaxation breathing and pressure management strategies to reduce straining improving toileting posture bladder retraining where appropriate. If your symptoms suggest an underlying gastrointestinal condition or another medical issue, your physiotherapist may also recommend assessment by your GP or an appropriate specialist. Frequently Asked Questions Can constipation affect the pelvic floor? Yes. Constipation can increase pressure within the pelvis, lead to repeated straining and contribute to changes in how the pelvic floor muscles function. In some cases, pelvic floor dysfunction can also make constipation worse. Can gut problems cause bladder symptoms? They can. Constipation, in particular, can place pressure on the bladder and contribute to symptoms such as urinary urgency and frequency. However, bladder symptoms have many possible causes, so a proper assessment is important. Can pelvic floor physiotherapy help bowel problems? If pelvic floor dysfunction is contributing to constipation or difficulty emptying the bowels, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve muscle coordination, toileting habits and bowel function as part of a personalised treatment plan. The Bottom Line Your gut and pelvic floor aren't separate systems—they're teammates. When one isn't functioning well, the other often has to compensate. That's why symptoms like constipation, bloating, bladder urgency and pelvic pain frequently occur together. Instead of treating each symptom in isolation, it's worth looking at how your body is working as a whole. If you're dealing with ongoing bowel, bladder or pelvic symptoms, our pelvic health physiotherapists can help uncover the connection and create a personalised treatment plan that addresses the root cause—not just the symptoms.