At Performance Medicine, we take health care very seriously in all genders. Men’s health is also a crucial part of that, which we find can be difficult to talk about. We want you to feel comfortable to talk about anything and our pelvic health service is available to you at any time. Pelvic health in men includes, but is not limited to, pelvic pain, bladder and bowel changes. November is men’s health awareness month and we want to make sure that men are getting the help that they need at all times. 

Here, our Pelvic physio Zeba Haroon has answered some common (but not asked often enough) questions regarding men’s health.

Do men have a pelvic floor? Yes they do!

The pelvic floor is a supportive system for your pelvic organs with additional functions. 

Because Men have pelvic organs including their bowel, bladder and penis – this system also needs to be able to support these structures. 

To activate your pelvic floor – think “nuts to guts”!

Can men experience pelvic pain? Yes they definitely can!

8% of Australian men experience urogenital pain of some sort and tends to be experienced at an older age, closely related to stress. The mean age is 41 years. 

Male pelvic pain can present as testicular, perineal, penile, suprapubic, rectal, hip/groin, lower back and buttock. 

Where to find help:

• Contact your local GP
• Visit a pelvic health physiotherapist
• Go to your local community health center.

Can Dads get postnatal depression? Yes they absolutely can!

Up to 1 in 10 fathers experience antenatal or postnatal depression. This occurs when any physical/emotional change occurs for longer than 2 weeks. 

You’re most likely to develop antenatal/postnatal depression if your partner is also experiencing it with 1 in 7 birthing mothers experiencing postnatal depression.

Where to find help:

• Talk with your partner, family and friends about what you’re going through
• Call PANDA on 1300 726 306
• Call MensLine on 1300 789 978
• Call ForWhen on 1300 242 322
• Go to your local community health center
• Contact your local mental health service
• Go to Australian Psychological Society