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Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Find Relief from Erectile Dysfunction with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction affecting millions of men worldwide. It can cause difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection, leading to a reduced quality of life, emotional stress, and challenges in sexual intercourse. For many men, ED is linked to pelvic floor dysfunction, which affects the muscles responsible for supporting sexual performance and blood flow to the penis. Pelvic floor physical therapy offers a holistic approach to fixing erectile dysfunction by addressing the root cause.

At Beyond Basics, we specialize in pelvic floor physical therapy to help men regain control over their sexual health. Our goal is to provide relief from erectile dysfunction symptoms and improve your overall well-being by targeting the underlying physiological issues affecting your sexual function.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can stem from a variety of causes, including vascular (due to blood flow problems), neurogenic (related to nerve issues), and psychogenic (related to stress or psychological factors). Other causes of erectile dysfunction include prostate cancer, certain prescription drugs, and lifestyle factors such as smoking or excessive alcohol use. However, pelvic floor dysfunction is another contributing factor, where weak or uncoordinated muscles in the pelvic region affect the blood vessels and blood flow to the penis, which are important for maintaining an erection. The pelvic floor muscles, located at the base of your pelvis, play an essential role in supporting the digestive, urinary, and sexual systems. These muscles stretch from the pubic bone to the tailbone, helping control bladder function, bowel movements, and sexual performance. When these muscles are not functioning properly, they can affect blood flow to the penis, leading to erectile dysfunction. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help by strengthening and retraining these muscles, improving blood flow, and supporting satisfactory sexual performance.
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Symptoms of ED Related to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause and worsen erectile dysfunction symptoms. These may include:

  • Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
  • Weakness or fatigue in the pelvic muscles
  • Inconsistent erections or premature ejaculation
  • Challenges with bladder control or frequent urination
  • Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area during sexual intercourse
  • Reduced sexual confidence or anxiety during sexual stimulation
If these symptoms sound familiar, pelvic floor physical therapy could be an effective treatment option for you.

How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Helps with ED

At Beyond Basics, our pelvic floor physical therapy is designed to treat erectile dysfunction by addressing the physiological issues that affect blood flow and sexual health. Here’s how pelvic floor therapy can help you:
  • Improving Erectile Function: By strengthening the pelvic muscles that support the blood vessels in the penis, we can improve blood flow and erectile tissue function.
  • Boosting Circulation: Proper pelvic floor function helps increase blood flow to the penis, improving the chances of achieving and maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse.
  • Reducing Pelvic Pain: Tight or dysfunctional pelvic muscles can cause discomfort during sexual activity. Pelvic floor physical therapy helps alleviate this pain and promotes a healthier sexual experience.
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    What to Expect During Your Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Sessions

    During Your Initial Appointment

    Your first session will start with a comprehensive discussion about your ED symptoms, medical history, and how your condition is affecting your sexual health. We’ll perform a physical exam to assess your pelvic floor muscles for any dysfunction in muscle strength, tension, or coordination that could be contributing to your erectile issues. We’ll explain each step of the process so you feel informed and comfortable throughout the session. Based on the results, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

    During Your Additional Appointments

    In follow-up sessions, we’ll continue to build upon your treatment plan. Interventions may include, manual therapy, muscle retraining exercises, and relaxation techniques, designed to improve the strength and function of your pelvic floor muscles, to enhance sexual health and performance. Each session builds on the progress made in previous appointments, helping you regain better control over your pelvic muscles, and improving your ability to achieve and maintain an erection. With time and consistency, you’ll notice improved erectile function, increased confidence during sexual activity, and an overall enhancement in your quality of life.

    Client Testimonials

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    Beyond Basics: We Can Help

    At Beyond Basics, we are committed to treating pelvic floor issues with sensitivity to each individual’s needs, regardless of sex, race, identity, age, or orientation – we treat the whole person with a comprehensive, caring biopsychosocial approach.

    Since 2003, Beyond Basics has been a place of hope and healing for our patients. We believe skilled and compassionate healing can restore your body’s harmony and balance. Founder, Amy Stein, and co-founder, Corey Hazama are renowned experts and leaders in pelvic floor PT.

    The skilled physical therapists at Beyond Basics receive extensive training to qualify them to be the world’s leaders in pelvic floor rehabilitation. All of our therapists have been carefully selected to work at Beyond Basics because they possess the right expertise, kindness, and empathy to allow them to excel in our practice. Our therapists have completed hundreds of additional hours outside of their doctorates both internally and externally through institutes such as Herman and Wallace and the American Physical Therapy Association, to help hone their practice and provide exceptional treatment efficiently and compassionately. In addition to being the world’s first and foremost experts in pelvic floor dysfunction, our individual therapists have cultivated additional skills unique to their own personal interests. Read more about each one of our therapists here.

    Get help now from a pelvic floor therapist.

    Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

    — Beyond Basics PT | Pelvic Floor Therapy NYC.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How does pelvic floor physical therapy help treat erectile dysfunction?

    Pelvic floor physical therapy helps treat erectile dysfunction by improving erectile muscle function, boosting circulation, reducing pelvic pain, and restoring sexual confidence, which is essential for achieving and maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse.

    What are the causes of erectile dysfunction that pelvic floor therapy addresses?

    Pelvic floor physical therapy primarily addresses erectile dysfunction caused by muscle dysfunction in the pelvic region. This can include vascular erectile dysfunction, where restricted blood flow to the penis causes erection difficulties, neurogenic erectile dysfunction, where nerve damage impacts erectile function, or psychogenic, where stress or psychological factors impact erectile function.

    Can pelvic floor physical therapy help with premature ejaculation?

    Yes, pelvic floor physical therapy can help improve muscle control, which may reduce the likelihood of premature ejaculation and improve overall sexual performance.

    How does pelvic floor therapy compare to testosterone replacement therapy for treating ED?

    Pelvic floor physical therapy addresses the muscular and circulatory causes of erectile dysfunction, while testosterone replacement therapy focuses on hormonal imbalances. The best approach may depend on your medical history and the root cause of your erectile dysfunction.

    Is pelvic floor physical therapy effective for men who have undergone prostate cancer treatment?

    Yes, pelvic floor physical therapy can be beneficial for men recovering from prostate cancer treatment. It helps improve pelvic muscle strength and function, which can support the recovery of erectile function and bladder control.