Men - Is Your Pelvic Floor Too Tight?

Men - Is Your Pelvic Floor Too Tight?

A quick self-check for men: A tight or overactive pelvic floor doesn't always feel “tight.” Sometimes it shows up as bladder issues, bowel problems, sexual symptoms, or pelvic discomfort. Run through this quick checklist to see if your pelvic floor might be doing a little more work than it needs to.

Check what sounds familiar Go through the list below. There's no scoring — just notice how many feel true for you.

• I catch myself clenching or gripping my pelvic floor, abs, butt, or inner thighs.
• I have trouble starting my urine stream or feel like I have to push to pee.
• I drip a little urine into my underwear after I think I'm finished peeing.
• I pee frequently or often feel like I need to go “just in case.”
• I regularly strain or push to have a bowel movement.
• I have trouble feeling like I've completely emptied my bowels or bladder.
• I experience pelvic, perineal, rectal, penile, testicular, or lower abdominal discomfort.
• I experience discomfort during or after ejaculation.
• I find myself tensing or having difficulty relaxing during sex.
• My pelvic symptoms tend to flare when I'm stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.
• Sitting for long periods tends to make my symptoms worse.
• Stretching, movement, exercise, heat, or consciously relaxing tends to make me feel better.

Checked a few boxes? These symptoms don't automatically mean you have a tight pelvic floor. But they can be signs that your pelvic floor is having difficulty relaxing, coordinating, or adapting to what you're asking it to do.

Your pelvic floor probably doesn't need more attention. It needs better strategies. If several of these sounded familiar, the answer usually isn't spending all day thinking about your pelvic floor — and it definitely isn't blindly doing more Kegels. Learning how your pelvic floor interacts with your breathing, bladder and bowel habits, movement, stress, posture, and sexual function can help you start changing the patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms.

Try this today - 

• Lie on your back with your knees bent.
• Take 5 slow breaths into your abdomen and rib cage. As you inhale, imagine your pelvic floor gently expanding and dropping rather than squeezing or pushing. Don't force it. You're practicing letting go.

The truth is that many men are never taught about the pelvic floor or the role it can play in these symptoms.

My goal with this guide isn’t to diagnose or treat you. It’s to help you better understand your body and provide a starting point for making sense of what you may be experiencing. I offer Stretching and Breathing Exercises and Remedial and Sports Massage which can both help with these issues. 

Best wishes Steve