Movember Isn't Just About Mustaches

Nov 6, 2026 · @CJPT

Every November, mustaches pop up everywhere for Movember, a month dedicated to men's health. The conversation usually centers on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. All of them deserve the attention.

One part of men's health almost never comes up, the pelvic floor.

Most men have never heard the term. Many assume it's a "women's issue" tied to pregnancy and childbirth. In reality, men have a pelvic floor too. When it isn't working well, it can affect bladder control, bowel function, sexual health, and comfort in everyday life.

This Movember, we want to change that. Here's what every man should know.

What does the pelvic floor do in men?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sits like a hammock at the base of your pelvis, stretching from your pubic bone to your tailbone. It does more than most people realize:

Bladder and bowel control: These muscles help you hold urine and stool until you're ready, and relax so you can go.
Sexual function: The pelvic floor plays a role in erections and ejaculation.
Core support: Your pelvic floor works with your deep abdominal muscles, back muscles, and diaphragm to stabilize your trunk when you lift, run, or swing a golf club.

Like any muscle group, the pelvic floor can become weak, overly tight, and/or poorly coordinated. When that happens, the symptoms often don't seem connected, which is why so many men go years without answers.

Signs your pelvic floor might be involved

Pelvic floor problems in men often get chalked up to "getting older" or written off as something you just live with. Pelvic floor physical therapy may help if you notice any of these:

Leaking after prostate surgery. Urinary leakage is common after a prostatectomy, and pelvic floor training before and after surgery can support recovery.
Dribbling after you urinate. A few drops after you've zipped up is a classic pelvic floor sign.
Urgency or frequency. Feeling like you always need to go (more than every 2 hours), or getting up multiple times a night.
Pelvic, groin, or tailbone pain. Especially pain that hasn't responded to other treatments, or pain that worsens with sitting.
Pain with bowel movements, urination, or ejaculation.
Erectile difficulties. Not every case has a muscular cause, but the pelvic floor can be part of the picture.
A diagnosis of "chronic prostatitis" with no infection found. Many of these men are actually dealing with pelvic floor muscle tension.

Any new or worsening symptoms should be checked by your doctor first to rule out other causes. Pelvic floor PT works alongside your medical care, not in place of it.

"Can't I just do Kegels?"

Maybe, but maybe not.

Kegels strengthen the pelvic floor, and they're helpful when the muscles are weak. But many men with pelvic symptoms have the opposite problem, a pelvic floor that's too tight and can't fully relax. Stress, long hours of sitting, heavy lifting, and habitually "holding it" can all contribute.

For a tight pelvic floor, Kegels can make symptoms worse. Pain, urgency, and difficulty emptying the bladder can all flare.

That's why guessing isn't a great strategy. A pelvic floor physical therapist can assess whether your muscles need strengthening, lengthening, better coordination, or a combination, and build a plan around what your body needs.

What pelvic floor PT looks like for men

We get it. Talking about bladder leaks or sexual function isn't easy, and many men put off care because they don't know what to expect. Here's how it works at CJPT.

Your first visit is a 75-minute evaluation. We start with a conversation about your symptoms, history, and goals, in a private room, one-on-one. Then we look at how you move, your posture, breathing, hips, and core. With your consent, the assessment may include a more detailed check of the pelvic floor muscles. You're always in control.

Follow-up visits are 60 minutes, one-on-one. Treatment may include:

Learning to relax and coordinate the pelvic floor, not just strengthen it
Hands-on techniques to ease tight muscles and tissues
Breathing and core exercises
Bladder and bowel habit strategies
Dry needling to help with tension in muscles and improve blood flow
Cupping to improve fascial restrictions and improve blood flow
A home program that fits into your day

Our practice treats patients of all genders, and our board-certified pelvic health physical therapist has helped many men get back to feeling like themselves.

You don't have to just live with it

Growing a mustache is a great way to start a conversation about men's health. Taking care of your pelvic floor is a great way to keep it going.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, or you're preparing for prostate surgery, we're here to help.

CJPT

40 Rockland Street, Natick, MA

Call or Text: 617-221-3307

Email: info@clairejacksonpt.com

Book online: clairejacksonpt.com

This post is for general education and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about any new or concerning symptoms.