Do I Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy? A Helpful Guide for Anyone Wondering If It’s Right for Them
Most people assume pelvic floor physical therapy is only for women who are pregnant or postpartum. But that’s one of the biggest myths I’ve worked to debunk over my thirteen years as a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Pelvic floor dysfunction affects all genders, all body types, all sexual orientations, and people of every age—especially those between 20–50, who are often juggling work, stress, fitness routines, relationships, and life transitions. And yet, so many people don’t realize that the things they’ve been struggling with for years are actually treatable.
In this post, I’ll help you understand whether pelvic floor physical therapy might be right for you—and what a trauma-informed, evidence-based, sex-positive approach to treatment can look like.
Who Am I, and Why Do I Do This Work?
I’m a doctor of physical therapy with over a decade of experience treating pelvic floor dysfunction in all genders. I’m also an AASECT-certified sexuality counselor, an educator who has taught pelvic health to clinicians and the public around the world.
In my practice, I treat a wide range of conditions, including:
Complex pelvic pain
Vaginismus
Vulvodynia
Erectile dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction
Pudendal neuralgia
Pain Related to conditions like endometriosis
Anal fissures
Premature ejaculation
And many other pelvic floor–related symptoms
My approach is holistic, evidence-based, biopsychosocial, sex-positive, and trauma-informed. Treatment often includes a combination of hands-on external and internal manual therapy, visceral mobilization, nervous system down-regulation strategies, biofeedback, and customized movement or relaxation work.
So… Do You Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
If you’re unsure, you’re not alone. Many of my patients arrive saying things like:
“I thought pelvic floor PT was only for women who had babies.”
“I didn’t know people with penises even had a pelvic floor.”
“I thought pain during sex was normal.”
“This has been happening for years—doesn’t everyone have this?”
Let’s change that.
Here are some signs pelvic floor PT may help:
Pain in the pelvic region
This includes pain with sitting, exercise, sex, arousal, ejaculation, erections, menstrual cycles, bowel movements, or urination.
Sexual dysfunction
Such as vaginismus, erectile dysfunction, painful sex, premature ejaculation, difficulty with orgasm, or changes in arousal.
Bladder or bowel issues
Urgency, frequency, hesitancy, straining, constipation, incomplete emptying, leakage, or fissures.
Abdominal, hip, or low back pain
Your pelvic floor is part of your core system—issues rarely stay in one place. Issues in the pelvic floor can be felt in other areas of the body.
“I’ve tried everything else”
If you’ve seen multiple providers and still have symptoms, pelvic floor physical therapy often fills in the missing piece.
If any of these sound familiar, you may be a great candidate for pelvic floor therapy.
What Does Treatment Actually Look Like?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is not like regular physical therapy. There’s no open gym filled with other patients doing exercises.
A typical treatment process may include:
Education about how your pelvic floor works and how it can be contributing to your symptoms.
External and/or internal manual therapy to release tension, improve mobility and coordination
Visceral mobilization when deeper organ-related tension contributes to symptoms
Breathwork, relaxation, and down-regulation techniques
Movement retraining to support daily activities, exercise, and sexual function
Every session is trauma-informed and patient centered, meaning you are in control and your boundaries and comfort always come first.
Common Myths I Wish More People Would Stop Believing
Pelvic floor PT is only for women — False. All genders have pelvic floors so all people can benefit from pelvic floor therapy
Painful sex is normal — No. It’s common, but not normal.
If imaging looks normal, there’s no problem — Pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions don’t usually show up on MRI or ultrasound.
Kegels fix everything — Actually, pelvic floor overactivity is often the issue., which means that kegels can make some symptoms worse
If I’ve had symptoms for years, it’s too late — It’s never too late to start and I have helped people who have been experiencing symptoms for decades.
When Pelvic Floor PT Isn’t Enough
Comprehensive care sometimes means a team approach. Many different organ systems live inside of the pelvis, so I often collaborate with:
Urologists
Gynecologists
Gastroenterologists
Pain psychologists
Acupuncturists
Mental health providers
Orthopedic Specialists
Urogynecologists
This doesn’t mean your condition is “worse”—it means you deserve holistic care that addresses your body and all of your symptoms.
Final Thoughts: You Are Not Broken
Pelvic floor dysfunction can feel isolating, confusing, or embarrassing—but it’s none of those things. It’s simply a set of symptoms that have a cause, and with the right guidance, these symptoms can change.
Whether your concern is pain, sexual dysfunction, bladder or bowel issues, or just the sense that something isn’t quite right, pelvic floor physical therapy can be a powerful step toward relief, understanding, and reconnection with your body.
You’re not broken. Your symptoms make sense. And help is available.