Pelvic instability in men is caused by damaged pelvic ligaments. These ligaments can be injured due to an accident, a heavy impact, or trauma to the pelvis—such as in a car crash or a fall from a significant height onto the pelvis or lower back. When this happens, the pelvic ligaments may become stretched, weakened, or torn.
Common symptoms of pelvic instability in men include lower back pain, groin pain, hip pain, and pain in the pubic bone. Recovery is mainly achieved through rest, combined with pelvic floor and stabilizing exercises to reduce pain and improve strength.
Many people assume pelvic instability or pelvic pain occurs only in pregnant women, but men can experience it as well. Although it is less common in men, it is definitely possible.
What is pelvic instability?
Pelvic instability means that the pelvic ligaments, which keep your pelvic bones in place, have been weakened or stretched. The pelvis becomes spacious and the pelvic ligaments aren’t able to keep the pelvic bones together properly. This causes pain in or around your pelvic area. A symptom of pelvic instability in men is a nagging, stabbing or tired pain in the lower back or pelvis, especially when you walk. Pelvic instability in men is often caused by surgery or direct damage to the pelvis. Pelvic pain primarily shows up during movements you make with your pelvic area. Pelvic instability is also called symphysiolysis. It often occurs during or shortly after pregnancy. It can also occur in non-pregnant women or men, but that chance is slim. You can find more detailed information about pelvic instability in this blog.
What is pelvic instability in men?
Pelvic instability in men can be recognized by pain in the pelvic floor, tailbone, pubic bone, hips or lower back. This can be a nagging, stabbing or tiring sensation. The pelvis becomes unstable because of weakened or damaged pelvic ligaments. They can become irritated and painful. It’s mostly the same as female pelvic instability. It is possible that pelvic instability can also develop sexual issues. Think of issues with the penis or prostate. Prostate pain is a thing that can occur when men have pelvic instability. They often are not able to ejaculate because of the uncomfortable feeling in the pelvis and/or pelvic floor. This is either caused because sexual actions feel painful, because of an erection staying away, or because an erection can’t be held. It is possible in some cases that men experience erectile issues because of their pelvic instability.
What causes pelvic instability in men?
The pelvic issues can be caused by multiple events. This is often because of a surgery or because of physical trauma. The pelvic ligaments that keep your pelvic bones together can become overtaxed, stretched or weakened. This can cause pelvic instability. Muscular weakness also is a common reason for the presence of pelvic instability in men. The muscle that is mostly linked to pelvic issues is the pelvic floor muscle. The organs in the pelvis are being kept in place by the pelvic floor muscles. If this muscle weakens, you can develop fecal or urinary incontinence. The pelvic floor opens and closes the anus and the urethra, mostly subconsciously. The pelvic floor muscle tenses up the entire day to keep your urethra and anus closed. Once you’re sitting on the toilet, this muscle will relax so that the exits open up. Developing urinary or fecal incontinence when this muscle is disrupted is not nonsensical.
You will find a few male pelvic instability symptoms below:
5 most common symptoms of pelvic instability in men
- Incontinence.
- 2. Pain in the scrotum.
- 3. Erectile issues.
- 4. Pain in the lower back or pubic bone.
- 5. Pain in the groin.
- Incontinence
One of the most common symptoms of pelvic instability in men is incontinence. This is caused by a weakened pelvic floor. Urine or feces have the chance to prematurely escape because the anus and the urethra are unable to stay closed. It’s also possible to experience incontinence because of a strong or overly active pelvic floor. The pelvic floor muscles aren’t able to properly relax which causes the urine and feces to pile up. At some point, your bladder and intestines are that filled that the urine and/or feces will be pushed out involuntarily.
How can you help incontinence?
Incontinence that’s co-morbid with your pelvic instability can be decreased by training and exercising your pelvic floor muscles. You can use the pelvic floor muscle exercises for that, which will help you battle incontinence and they will strengthen your pelvic floor. You will find the pelvic floor exercises on this page. If your pelvic floor is too active instead, feel free to take a look at the relaxing pelvic floor exercises.
- Pain in the scrotum
Having pain in the scrotum means that the part between the testicles and anus can feel painful and sore. Once you experience this pain, it means that you carry too much tension in the pelvic floor muscles. This can be a very uncomfortable sensation. Having pain in the scrotum is often linked to the pelvic floor. Most of the time it’s the case that the pelvic floor is too tense and too active.
How can you help pain in the scrotum?
You can often decrease pain in the scrotum by doing relaxing pelvic floor exercises. It’s always recommended to visit the doctor, they often know what to do. Next to that, it’s also important that you rest enough. Don’t allow your body to lift heavy stuff and make sure that you don’t work yourself up too much. Are you seated a lot of the time? Then it’s recommended to use a cushion. Feel free to take a look at a properly tested cushion.
- Erectile issues
Erectile issues are also linked to the pelvic floor. A weakened pelvic floor can cause difficulties with maintaining an erection. The pelvic floor isn’t able to prevent the blood from flowing out of the penis. The blood leaves and the erection decreases. When you have a tense pelvic floor, it’s hard to direct the blood flow towards the penis. The pelvic floor is too tight and too strong which prevents the blood to be properly stored in the erectile tissues.
How can you help erectile issues?
Begin with pelvic floor exercises when you are experiencing erectile issues. It’s best to seek help when your pain is consistent. Next to that, it’s also recommended to discuss your issues with your partner. Maybe it’s an embarrassing topic for you, but speaking up about it decreases your stress and/or anxiety and you will feel more secure during intimacy. It’s important that you learn to relax your pelvic floor when it’s overly active. Do this by performing the relaxing pelvic floor exercises. If you have a weakened pelvic floor, it’s recommended to perform the strengthening pelvic floor exercises.
- Pain in the lower back or pubic bone
One of the most common issues is having a nagging sensation in the lower back or pubic bone when a man has pelvic instability. The pubic bone is located at the lower front of the pelvis, on groin level. The backside of the pelvis is located in the lower back. These areas will be under additional pressure if the pelvis is unstable. There are a lot of connections to the pelvis in the pubic bone area and the lower back.
How can you help pain in the lower back or pubic bone?
Firstly, visit your doctor. He or she will perform a variety of examinations. Then you will know for sure that you’re dealing with pelvic instability. Resting and doing pelvic floor exercises are often the cure for pelvic instability. Strengthen the pelvic floor but make sure to take it easy as well. Learn how to properly relax the pelvic floor and gain back control over the pelvic floor muscles. You can perform the relaxing pelvic floor exercises in combination with the strengthening pelvic floor exercises.
- Pain in the groin
When you’re experiencing pelvic instability as a man, it can be the case that your groin or lower abdomen feel painful. This is caused by tensed pelvic floor muscles and an overactive pelvic floor. This often becomes worse when you’re working out, walking the stairs or when you’re over pushing your body through exhaustion. That’s why it’s important to take a step back and to listen to your body.
How can you help pain in the groin?
When your body is hurting, it’s important to take a break. Take a moment to rest when you walk. Are you walking for 30 minutes? Take a break for 5 minutes before you continue your journey. Put on proper shoes to maintain your balance. It’s also important that you gain back control over your pelvic floor and learn how to properly relax. I will refer you to the relaxing pelvic floor exercises for that.
How to help pelvic instability?
First you need to discover the root of your pelvic issues (see the symptoms above). Once you know where it comes from, you know what you can do to relieve the issue. You will find a lot of pelvic floor exercises on the website that can help you with your recovery. It’s also good to revision your toilet habits and it you’re going to the toilet properly. Next to all of this, it’s recommended to use a cushion. You will be able to be seated for a longer period of time while your pelvis is being supported by this tested cushion.
How can a pelvic physical therapist help you?
If you’re having issues with pelvic instability, you can seek advice from a pelvic physical therapist. A pelvic physical therapist guides you by recognizing any issue you may experience around your pelvic area. They can also help you with exercising or relaxing the muscles around the pelvis. A pelvic physical therapist can provide you with more information by performing an internal examination. This means that they will inspect the pelvic floor muscles. The therapist will discuss every outcome and will set up a personal treatment plan suitable for your situation.
And lastly, are you looking for more information?
Hopefully this information was useful to you! If you’re still looking for some more information, feel free to take another look around on the website. It’s filled with in-depth information, tips, a web shop and also exercises. I still have a lot of articles with lots of information about other symptoms and issues. Feel free to click on the blue words to take you straight to the right page.
