Help & Advice

Sexual function is an essential and critical part of mental and physical health and wellness for men. Therefore when a problem arises it is often distressing. Male sexual dysfunction has been linked to a reduced quality of life, as well as negative interpersonal relationships. As men grow older, sexual dysfunctions become increasingly prevalent.

To learn more about problems that affect the male pelvic floor, visit our page.

What are Erectile Problems?

Erectile problems are extremely common, particularly in men aged over 40. The two most prominent problems that are associated with erections are:

• Erectile Dysfunction - The inability to gain and maintain an erection that is rigid enough for sexual intercourse.
• Premature Ejaculation - Ejaculation that always, or nearly always, occurs

As your pelvic floor is hidden away inside your body, it's not always easy to tell if it is healthy and strong. Being aware of the symptoms that suggest weak pelvic muscles will allow you to tackle issues early. Pelvic floor disorders can affect men of any age, so always be wary if you see signs that indicate that your pelvic floor has weakened.

The most common issues that occur as a result of pelvic floor weakness are:

• Incontinence
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Prostate Conditions

What Are The Symptoms of Male

Most men are not aware that they have a pelvic floor. But without it you would be unable to hold urine in your bladder or contract your bowels to prevent wind and faeces escaping, you will be unable to get an erection, and you could suffer from the symptoms of prostatitis. The pelvic floor and its functions within the body are a necessity. They help to keep a variety of pelvic health problems at bay.

Contents

1. Causes and Symptoms of Male Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions

• Prostate
• Male Incontinence
• Erection

Tibial Nerve Stimulation is an effective, less invasive way of stimulating the tibial and sacral nerves to provide relief for pelvic pain and incontinence. Visit our pelvic pain treatment page to learn more about solutions to conditions such as endometriosis, vulvodynia, and UTIs.

What is the Tibial Nerve?

The tibial nerve is found in the leg and branches off from the sciatic nerve. The tibial nerve runs from your pelvis all the way down into the ankle, and then branches into sensory nerves in the sole of your foot.

What is the Function of the Tibial Nerve?

The Tibial Nerve has both motor and

Sacral Nerve Stimulation can be a safe and effective way of relieving the pain and discomfort caused by a number of pelvic floor disorders. To learn about the other causes of pelvic pain, click here.

Where are the Sacral Nerves?

The sacral plexus is an area located in your pelvis where several spinal nerves come together and then brand out to control most of your lower body. The sacral plexus contains 31 nerves that reach from your lower back to your rectum, bladder, sphincter and pelvic floor muscles.

The nerves in the sacral plexus split to form sensory and motor nerves that then travel to parts of your pelvis, legs, feet, and genitals. Without these nerves, you would not be able to stand, walk, or control your bladder and bowel movements.

There are 5 main nerves that emerge from the sacral

If a combination of Physiotherapy and medication has been unable to relieve your pelvic pain, you may consider undergoing a pelvic surgery. Unfortunately pelvic surgeries, as with any surgery, have varying degrees of success. As a result they are often reserved for adults that suffer from chronic pelvic pain that has been unable to be treated through medication, and are finished having children. This is because it may not be possible to conceive following a pelvic surgery, and the benefits of any pelvic surgery are mostly lost in women following pregnancy and childbirth.

In this article we look at the types of most common pelvic surgeries, how to prepare for your pelvic surgery, how to improve your recovery, and potential complications. All procedures discussed may differ from the exact procedure you are offered, as your surgeon will design your procedure to specifically suit your needs.

The purpose of this article is to inform you of your options. You should always

In this guide we explain how to complete exercises to help with pelvic floor muscle relaxation and pain relief.

Suffering from chronic pelvic pain can cause your pelvic floor muscles to spasm. The muscles can become tight and uncomfortable and worsen your symptoms. A tight pelvic floor can even become an issue in itself. When the muscles spasm they stop functioning correctly, the symptoms of this can be similar to that of a weak pelvic floor. You may be unable to control your bladder and bowels. If you misunderstand this to be a result of a weak pelvic floor you can cause further pain by attempting traditional Kegel exercises. Therefore it is essential that a correct diagnosis of your pelvic floor condition is obtained before proceeding.

The following exercises can be supported by a Women's Health Physiotherapist to advise on how to make them most effective for you. They will also ensure you are disciplined and committed to the exercises, as consistency is the

Women who suffer from chronic pelvic pain take 3 times the medication than women who do not suffer. Medication is often central to coping and recovering from pain. The aim being to improve the sufferers quality of life by improving their behaviour and mobility, as well as the pain itself.

Pelvic pain is a complex condition. To successfully treat it you will need a formal diagnosis from a doctor, followed by an interdisciplinary approach to treat the original cause of the pain (if known), alongside the symptoms. Counselling will be offered to ensure you are adequately supported throughout your treatment as the emotional impact of suffering can be more substantial than the pain itself. This holistic approach is essential to resolve the full impact suffering from pelvic pain has had on your life.

In 61% of pelvic pain cases, the original cause of the pain is never known and impossible to identify. In these situations the treatment plan will include dietary and psychosocial (social, environmental and physcological) treatments which look to resolve the symptoms, before turning to medication. The general principles of treating chronic pelvic pain are often added to if further diagnosis becomes available during the programme of treatment.

You may be referred

Vulvodynia is chronic pain felt in the skin at the opening of the vagina, the vulva (including that felt in the labia, urethra and clitoris), that has been present for at least 3 months. There will be no identifiable cause of the pain as vulvodynia is not related to a skin condition or infection. The pain occurs as a result of the nerve endings in the skin becoming over sensitive. The pain is often present even when the area has no pressure on it.

Vulvodynia is a constellation of several, sometimes overlapping, diseases and processes - always with no identifiable cause. If the pain is only felt when pressure is applied, it is considered as vestibulodynia (previously known as vulva vestibulitis). The pain felt with vestibulodynia is only in a localised area where pressure has been applied; whether it be a touch, or friction when a tampon is inserted or during sex. At other times there is no discomfort.

Vulvodynia can affect otherwise healthy women