Male Pelvic Pain and Pelvic Pain in People with Male Anatomy in Downtown, NY
Disclaimer: Please note that throughout this page we will be using the terms “people with male anatomy” when discussing clinical presentation and anatomy. We have chosen these terms as they feel to be best practice at this time, but we acknowledge that gender and biological sex are a spectrum and language does not fully encapsulate that. We will continue to review and update this language as the discourse around this terminology continues to evolve.
Pelvic pain is a common issue that can affect those with male anatomy, regardless of age. The causes are diverse, ranging from bacterial infections, inflammation, nerve injuries, and organ dysfunction, to musculoskeletal problems. Anxiety or excessive strain during exercise can also contribute to the discomfort. Treatment approaches depend on identifying the underlying cause of the pain. Your physician may recommend options like medication, surgery, or physical therapy to alleviate symptoms and restore your quality of life. In Downtown, NY, pelvic floor physical therapy offers a highly effective solution to help relieve the pain and discomfort you’re experiencing. Let’s explore how it works.
Common Symptoms of Pelvic Pain in People with Male Anatomy
- Pain with sitting
- Pain at scrotum or testicles
- Abdominal sensitivity or pain
- Sensitivity at tip of penis
- Penile changes – such as “shrink” or doesn’t enlarge like it used to
- Pain in rectum
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain during/after urination/defecation/orgasm
Associated complaints that may exist:
- Urinary urgency
- Urinary frequency
- Burning with urination
- Incomplete bladder voiding
- Constipation
- Incomplete bowel voiding
- Orofacial pain
- Incomplete ejaculation
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
Struggling with pelvic pain in Downtown? Reach out to our expert team to get personalized care and start your journey toward comfort and healing.
Common Diagnosis of Pelvic Pain in People with Male Anatomy
The prostate, a walnut-sized gland, is located below the bladder and surrounds the upper portion of the urethra. It plays a crucial role in producing semen, which aids in the transportation of sperm during ejaculation.
Types of Prostatitis:
Type #1 – Acute Bacterial Prostatitis:
Type #2 – Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis:
Type #3 – Chronic Abacterial (Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome):
Common symptoms and interventions
- General Pelvic Pain – pain with sitting at scrotum or testicles, abdominal sensitivity or pain, sensitivity at tip of penis, pain in rectum
- Manual therapy, exercises, stretches, desensitization, behavioral modifications, postural correction
- Urinary dysfunction – painful voiding, incomplete voiding, increased urinary frequency
- Dietary modifications, bladder retraining, medication (alpha blockers, anticholinergics)
- Palpable tenderness/spasms/TrP in abdomen and pelvis
- Physical therapy, muscle relaxants (valium suppositories), exercise
- Psychosocial considerations – depression, stress, anxiety
- Talk therapy/counseling, antidepressants, mindfulness and meditation, breathing
Type #4 – Asymptomatic Inflammatory:
Inflammation of the prostate without symptoms is commonly seen in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Although individuals may not feel any discomfort, this asymptomatic inflammation is frequently present and can be an indicator of underlying prostate changes that require monitoring, especially in aging individuals.
Chronic Testicular Pain, also referred to as orchialgia or chronic scrotal pain, is characterized by ongoing pain in the scrotum lasting longer than three months. This condition can begin abruptly with intense discomfort or evolve slowly over time, becoming a constant source of pain. Diagnosing the root cause can be challenging, as it may involve complex interactions between the nervous system, pelvic structures, or a history of surgical procedures.
Penile Pain affects different parts of the penis—whether at the root, along the shaft, or at the tip (glans)—and can disrupt several aspects of daily life. This includes issues with urination, difficulty during sexual activity, limitations in physical movement, or discomfort while wearing everyday clothing. Pain may vary from intermittent to chronic and can result from trauma, inflammation, nerve damage, or dysfunction in the surrounding pelvic structures.
Causes:
- Intracavernous injection of drugs for erectile dysfunction
- Paraphimosis (constriction of the glans penis by foreskin)
- Priapism (persistent and painful erections unrelated to sexual arousal)
- Penile prosthesis surgery
- Penile changes – such as “shrink” or doesn’t enlarge like it used to
- Peyronie’s disease (development of fibrous scar tissue inside the penis),
- Circumcision
- Herpes genitalis
- Ilioinguinal nerve entrapment (supplies base of penis)
When the pelvic floor muscles are unable to fully relax due to Muscle Overactivity, individuals may experience an array of troubling symptoms. These can include localized pelvic pain, urinary complications (such as hesitancy, incontinence, or retention), digestive disturbances like constipation or diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction, including erection difficulties. Additionally, overly tense muscles may form trigger points, which refer pain to distant areas, and may compress surrounding nerves, leading to further discomfort and potential neurological issues.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition characterized by the age-related growth of the prostate gland, which lies just below the bladder and contributes to the production of semen. As the prostate enlarges—a process that occurs in up to 80% of people with prostates—it often pushes inward, compressing the urethra. This leads to urinary problems such as a weakened stream, frequent starting and stopping during urination, and difficulty initiating a stream. About one-third of individuals with BPH will develop moderate to severe urinary symptoms.
Symptoms:
- A narrowed urethra forces the bladder to contract more forcefully, leading to muscular thickening of the bladder wall.
- A thicker bladder wall loses its ability to hold as much urine, resulting in more frequent urges to urinate.
- Incomplete bladder emptying becomes common as urinary flow remains restricted, creating internal pressure and leading to urinary retention.
- Residual urine can serve as a breeding ground for infections and bladder stones, and in more severe cases, place stress on the kidneys, increasing the risk of injury.
Causes:
- Inflammation
- Pressure on vas deferens – sperm is still being produced, eventually acclimates
- Vascular stasis
- Nerve impingement, fibrosis around nerve
Pudendal Neuralgia, also known as pudendal nerve entrapment, is a condition that leads to persistent pelvic pain caused by damage, compression, or irritation of the pudendal nerve. This type of neuralgia can trigger a range of uncomfortable symptoms, most notably sharp, searing, or electric-like pain. The discomfort often travels along the nerve’s path, which may include the penis, perineum, or rectal region.
Interstitial Cystitis (IC), often called painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic disorder characterized by pelvic and bladder discomfort. Individuals living with IC may feel anything from slight pressure in the bladder region to intense, unrelenting pain. These symptoms can fluctuate over time, and in many cases, the pain radiates beyond the bladder into the pelvic area.
Types of IC:
- Ulcerative (lesions, not actual ulcers)
- Non-ulcerative: bladder hemorrhages suggesting irritation or inflammation
Hard flaccid syndrome (HFS) refers to a long-lasting and painful condition involving a combination of symptoms that can be both physically and emotionally taxing. Common signs of HFS include a partially rigid penis while in a non-erect state, a glans that remains soft despite achieving an erection, persistent pelvic discomfort, diminished libido, difficulty with erections, pain during sexual activity or ejaculation, and sensory disturbances such as numbness or a cold sensation in the penis. Many individuals also experience urinary difficulties and emotional distress, making it a multifaceted issue that often requires specialized care.
Hernias arise when structural weakness in the abdominal or pelvic muscles allows internal tissues or organs to push through, creating a bulge that may cause pain and visible swelling. There are several forms of hernias, each with its own characteristics. Inguinal hernias, the most common type, occur in the groin area. Hiatal hernias involve part of the stomach shifting into the chest through the diaphragm, while umbilical hernias appear near the belly button when abdominal contents protrude through the abdominal wall. Understanding the specific type of hernia is crucial for determining the right treatment path.
Benefits of Working with a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist in Downtown, NY
- Alleviate physical discomfort and chronic pain
- Reduce muscular tightness and improve relaxation
- Promote better mobility and overall function with hands-on therapy and individualized home routines
- Help the pelvic floor muscles regain their ideal balance between strength and flexibility
- Stimulate healthy blood flow to injured or stressed areas to speed up healing
- Restore your body’s ability to move and perform efficiently and pain-free
What To Expect
During Your Initial Appointment
During Your Additional Appointments
Many patients start to experience symptom relief within 8 weeks, with some seeing improvements even earlier.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Downtown, NY Can Help with Pelvic Pain
Reduce your pelvic pain today.
Client Testimonials
Beyond Basics: We Can Help
Our physical therapists at Beyond Basics are world-renowned experts in pelvic floor rehabilitation, having completed extensive training to ensure they are fully equipped to provide the best care possible. Beyond their doctoral degrees, all of our therapists have participated in hundreds of hours of additional training at prestigious institutions like Herman and Wallace and the American Physical Therapy Association. This training allows them to excel in their practice and offer exceptional, empathetic care. In addition to their specialization in pelvic floor dysfunction, our therapists each have unique skills that reflect their personal passions and further enhance the care they provide. Read more about the expertise of each of our therapists here.
