When anyone hears of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), the ‘natural’ reaction is to wonder how the condition can make it impossible for a man to get and sustain erection or achieve orgasm.
This is because pelvis is normally associated with female, which is true. However, males also have pelvis and, according to physicians, the pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and nerves located at the bottom of the pelvis (between the hips).
These muscles support the bladder, rectum, prostate in males, and vagina and uterus in females. They also offer general support to other organs in the abdomen.
The male pelvic region is the area between the trunk — or main body — and the lower extremities, or legs.
In describing the functions of the pelvis, doctors say, “When pelvic floor muscles contract and relax, they help control bowel movements, urination, and parts of sexual functions.”
Why pelvic floor dysfunction happens
In general, muscles naturally weaken with age; however, a gynaecologist, Dr. Sumi Grace, says, “Pelvic floor dysfunction can happen for several reasons, and it can lead to issues in bladder control and sexual health; adding, “Fortunately, there are ways to treat pelvic floor dysfunction through physical therapy, medications, and more.”
Symptoms of PFD
Experts say pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms vary for each person and may include:
- Urinary (peeing) problems: This may involve inability to control peeing or leakage; or an overactive bladder (increase in urge and frequency).
- Bowel movement (pooping) problems: This may involve bowel strain, constipation, incomplete or painful bowel movements, and inability to control pooping, which can cause leakage.
- Rectal pain: The rectum is the last part of the large intestine. This sudden pain may wake you up at night. It can last for a few minutes before going away.
- Pelvic pain: Pain or pressure in the pelvis is a common symptom that may come and go.
- Sexual dysfunction: This might involve difficulty getting an erection or having an orgasm — conditions that are signs of erectile dysfunction (ED). Painful sex can also be a symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction for females.
Among men, any of the following symptoms can be a sign of erectile dysfunction:
- Having an erection sometimes but not every time you want to have sex
- Having an erection but not having it last long enough for penetrative sex
- Being unable to get an erection.
Experts at online portal, Mayo Clinic, explain that “erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is defined by difficulty getting and keeping an erection; and it has been reported that more than half of men between the ages of 40 and 70 experience some form of ED.
Bottom line
If you notice any or all of these symptoms, don’t blame your wife or the enemies. See your doctor without any delay.
