The Surprising Link Between Anxiety and Urinary Urgency

Having trouble getting or keeping an erection? You’re not alone, and it’s not always just about blood flow or hormones. Your pelvic floor muscles play an important role in helping you achieve and maintain an erection. If these muscles are weak, too tight or not working together properly, they may be contributing to the problem. The good news? Pelvic health physiotherapy may help improve how these muscles work and support better erectile function. How does your pelvic floor affect erections? Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of your pelvis. They help support your bladder and bowel, but they also play a role in sexual function. During an erection, these muscles help maintain firmness by supporting the mechanisms that keep blood in the penis. If your pelvic floor muscles aren't working as they should, you may find it harder to get or maintain an erection. This can happen when the muscles are: Too weak: They may not contract effectively to help maintain an erection. Too tight: Constant tension can interfere with normal muscle function and relaxation. Poorly coordinated: The muscles may struggle to contract and relax at the right time. It's important to remember that not all pelvic floor problems are caused by weakness. Sometimes, the muscles need to learn to relax rather than become stronger. Could your pelvic floor be contributing to ED? You might benefit from a pelvic floor assessment if you experience: Erections that become soft or don't last as long as you'd like. Difficulty maintaining an erection despite feeling aroused. Pain or tension around your pelvis, perineum or testicles. Urinary symptoms, such as urgency, frequency or difficulty emptying your bladder. Symptoms that seem worse when you're stressed or physically tense. Changes in erectile function following prostate surgery. Erectile dysfunction can have several causes, including vascular, hormonal, medication-related and psychological factors. Your pelvic floor may be one piece of the puzzle. How can pelvic health physiotherapy help? A pelvic health physiotherapist can assess how your pelvic floor muscles are working and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Depending on your assessment, treatment may include: Targeted exercises: To improve muscle strength, control and coordination when needed. Relaxation techniques: To help release tension if your pelvic floor muscles are overactive. Hands-on treatment: Where appropriate, to address muscle tension and discomfort. Breathing and movement strategies: To help your pelvic floor work more effectively with your breathing and core. Practical lifestyle advice: Including ways to manage activities or habits that may be contributing to your symptoms. Your physiotherapist can also work alongside your GP or urologist to address other factors contributing to erectile dysfunction. The aim isn't simply to strengthen your pelvic floor. It's to help your muscles work the way they should. Frequently Asked Questions Can pelvic floor physiotherapy help with erectile dysfunction? It can. Research suggests that pelvic floor muscle training may improve erectile function in some men, particularly when muscle weakness or poor coordination is contributing. Results vary, and physiotherapy isn't the right solution for every cause of ED. Can pelvic floor exercises make things worse? If your pelvic floor muscles are already too tight, doing lots of strengthening exercises may increase tension or discomfort. That's why an assessment is important before starting a program. How long does it take to see results? Some men notice improvements within 6–12 weeks of consistent, appropriate treatment. However, progress varies depending on the cause of your symptoms and your individual circumstances. Can I do pelvic floor exercises at home? Yes, but it's helpful to know which muscles need attention and how to use them correctly. A physiotherapist can show you the right technique and whether strengthening, relaxation or a combination of both is best for you. Should I still see my GP? Absolutely. Erectile dysfunction can sometimes be an early sign of an underlying health issue, including cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Your GP can help investigate possible causes, and pelvic health physiotherapy may complement any medical treatment you need. The Bottom Line Erectile dysfunction isn't always just a blood-flow problem. Your pelvic floor muscles may also play a role in how well you achieve and maintain an erection. Whether your muscles need strengthening, relaxing or better coordination, pelvic health physiotherapy may help. You don't have to figure it out on your own. Our pelvic health physiotherapists can help you understand what's happening, work out whether your pelvic floor is contributing, and develop a plan that suits your needs. If you're experiencing ongoing erectile difficulties, speak with your GP and consider whether a pelvic floor assessment could be part of your next step.

Still leaking when you sneeze, run, jump or laugh years after having children? You might have been told it's "just part of having kids." It may be common, but that doesn't mean you have to live with it. Why does leaking happen after childbirth? Pregnancy and childbirth place significant demands on your pelvic floor. Changes can affect the muscles, connective tissues and the way your pelvic floor works with your breathing and abdominal muscles. You may notice leaking when you: Cough or sneeze Run or jump Exercise Lift something heavy Laugh Suddenly need to empty your bladder But leaking doesn't automatically mean your pelvic floor is simply "weak." Sometimes the issue is strength. Other times it's coordination, timing, muscle tension, bladder habits or how your body manages pressure. "But my kids are years old..." It's never too late to address pelvic floor symptoms. You may have adapted by wearing pads, avoiding running or jumping, crossing your legs when you sneeze, or always finding a toilet before leaving the house. These things can become so normal that you forget they're symptoms. You shouldn't have to organise your life around your bladder. What can help? A pelvic health physiotherapist can assess what's contributing to your leakage and develop a treatment plan based on your symptoms and goals. This may include pelvic floor muscle training, breathing and pressure management, bladder strategies, strengthening and movement retraining. And no — it's not always as simple as "just do more Kegels." The bottom line Having children can explain why your symptoms started. It doesn't mean you have to accept them forever. Whether your youngest is six months old or 16 years old, pelvic floor symptoms are worth assessing. If you're leaking after having children, talk to a pelvic health physiotherapist. You don't have to put up with it.

Finding skid marks in your child's underwear can be frustrating. But before assuming they're being lazy or not wiping properly, there's something important to know: Repeated poo stains can be a sign of constipation. And your child may not be doing it on purpose. How can constipation cause skid marks? When children hold their poo, stool can build up in the rectum. Over time, the rectum can become stretched and less sensitive to the feeling of needing to poo. Softer stool can then leak around the harder stool and into their underwear. This can look like: Brown marks or smears Small amounts of poo in their underwear Strong-smelling underwear Regular accidents despite being toilet trained Your child may genuinely not feel it happening. Why do kids hold their poo? Often, it starts with a painful bowel movement. A child may then become afraid of pooing and start holding it in. You might notice them: Crossing their legs Squeezing their bottom Standing on their tiptoes Hiding when they need to poo Avoiding the toilet Unfortunately, holding on can make the stool harder and larger, creating a cycle of pain → withholding → constipation → leakage. Could the pelvic floor be involved? Yes. To poo comfortably, the pelvic floor needs to relax and coordinate with the bowel and abdominal muscles. Some children have difficulty relaxing these muscles when trying to poo. This can make emptying harder and contribute to constipation and soiling. What can parents and carers do? If your child regularly has skid marks, look for other signs of constipation: Large or hard poos Straining Pain when pooing Tummy aches or bloating Hiding to poo Toilet avoidance Frequent underwear accidents Rather than blaming or shaming your child, speak with your GP or a healthcare professional experienced in children's bowel health. A paediatric pelvic health physiotherapist can assess toileting habits, positioning, pelvic floor coordination and relaxation, and help your child develop more comfortable bowel habits. The Bottom Line Skid marks aren't always a hygiene problem. If they're happening regularly, they may be your child's body's way of telling you they're constipated or struggling to empty their bowel properly. Your child isn't necessarily being lazy—and shame won't fix the problem. If your child is regularly soiling their underwear or struggling with constipation, a paediatric pelvic health physiotherapist can help you work out why and what to do next.