What Is the Prostate, Anyway? And Why It Matters for Your Pelvic Floor
We've all heard of it, but what in the world is the prostate—and what does it actually do?
The prostate is a walnut-sized organ located underneath the bladder in males and people assigned male at birth. The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the body; in men, it also carries semen. The urethra runs directly through the prostate before continuing through the shaft of the penis. The prostate's main function is to provide fluid that makes up semen.
The most common problems associated with the prostate are an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.
Enlarged Prostate
The prostate naturally grows throughout a person's lifespan, reaching the size of a lemon in late adulthood. An enlarged prostate is known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or Benign Prostatic Enlargement. Symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate vary from person to person, and many individuals experience no symptoms at all. Due to the position of the prostate, its enlargement can compress the urethra and cause various urinary issues. Common symptoms include:
Urinary retention
Incomplete bladder emptying
A weak or intermittent urine stream
Difficulty starting urination
Dribbling after urination
The exact cause of BPH is unknown, though risk factors include age, obesity, hormonal changes, and diabetes.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a non-cancerous inflammation of the prostate gland. There are four main types:
Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS). The most common form, affecting 90–95% of those diagnosed with prostatitis. While no single cause has been identified, contributing factors can include stress, anxiety, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, past infections, and neural sensitivity. To learn more, read our full blog on CP/CPPS.
Acute Bacterial Prostatitis. This is caused by bacteria entering the prostate. Symptoms include urinary frequency, urgency, and retention, as well as the occasional fever or chills. It is typically treated with antibiotics.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis. When bacterial infections persist for more than three months, they may become chronic. These infections are usually caused by the same bacterial strain and may develop from untreated acute prostatitis.
Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis. This type involves inflammation without noticeable symptoms and is often discovered incidentally. Treatment is rarely needed, but it can vary based on individual factors.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate grow abnormally and uncontrollably. Many types of prostate cancer can grow very slowly and oftentimes will be asymptomatic; others will grow rapidly and will require prompt treatment.
Risk factors for prostate cancer include age (especially men over 50), family history, and being of Black descent. Early detection is key. Common early symptoms of prostate cancer include:
Blood in the urine, which might make the urine look pink, red or cola-colored
Blood in the semen
Needing to urinate more often
Trouble getting started when trying to urinate
Waking up to urinate more often at night
So… What Does This Have to Do With the Pelvic Floor?
When you think about pelvic floor issues, you might not automatically think about men—but men have a pelvic floor too. In fact, the prostate and pelvic floor are closely connected, both anatomically and functionally.
The prostate plays an important role in urinary and sexual health, but because it sits so close to the pelvic floor muscles, any inflammation, enlargement, or surgical intervention can directly affect how those muscles function. The pelvic floor supports the bladder and bowel, controls continence, and contributes to sexual function—so when it’s not working properly, the effects can be widespread.
Many prostate-related conditions, like BPH, prostatitis, or even post-prostatectomy recovery, can cause or worsen pelvic floor dysfunction. You might experience:
Urinary urgency or leakage
Pain in the pelvis, perineum, or lower back
Erectile dysfunction or discomfort with ejaculation
Difficulty relaxing the pelvic floor muscles
This is where men’s health pelvic floor physical therapy comes in. A trained pelvic floor therapist can help assess the muscles and nerves around your pelvic area and develop a personalized plan to improve function and reduce symptoms. Treatment might include:
Biofeedback and guided muscle relaxation
Manual therapy for muscle tightness
Breathing and coordination techniques
Behavior or posture modifications
Education about bladder habits and sexual health
Whether you're dealing with chronic prostatitis, recovering from surgery, or navigating an enlarged prostate, pelvic floor therapy can be a vital and empowering part of your care team. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward feeling more at ease in your body.
About Pelvic Health & Wellness
Pelvic Health & Wellness was built with you in mind. We practice whole-person, individualized pelvic floor physical therapy in a caring and safe environment. Our physical therapists specialize in treating pelvic health concerns such as pelvic floor dysfunction, men’s health, bowel and gut health, pain, pelvic organ prolapse, constipation, incontinence, fertility, and various pregnancy and postpartum-related conditions.
We understand that being ready to talk about and address your pelvic floor wellness concerns comes from a place of strength. We are here to support and encourage you on your journey back to health so you can return to doing what you love! If you are ready to take the first step in reclaiming your pelvic health and wellness, don't hesitate to get in touch with us today.