Free guide · printable · Dr. Kegel for Men

How to talk to your doctor about your pelvic floor: a guide for men

Dribbling, leaks after prostate surgery, rushing to the bathroom or erection changes are everyday topics for urologists. Print this to get the most from the visit.

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It’s normal to bring this up

Many men wait years before mentioning these symptoms — often because they assume it’s just age. For your doctor it is a routine conversation, and there is usually a clear next step. You don’t need medical words: describe what happens in everyday situations.

Who to see

• Your family doctor (primary care) — a good first stop. They can check your urine, ask about your prostate and refer you on.
• Urologist — the specialist for bladder, prostate and erection problems, including recovery after prostate surgery.
• Your surgical team — after prostate surgery, the surgeon or continence nurse tells you when to start pelvic floor exercises (usually once the catheter is out).
• Pelvic floor physical therapist — men’s health physical therapists check technique and build a plan — for strengthening, or for relaxing a tight pelvic floor if you have pain.

What to tell your doctor

Tick what applies and take this page with you.

• When it happens: after peeing or zipping up, when coughing or lifting, on the way to the bathroom, at night
• How often, and how many pads you use a day (after surgery)
• Your stream: weak, slow to start, stopping and starting, or a feeling you haven’t emptied your bladder
• Erections: gradual or sudden change, and whether you still wake with erections
• Timing of ejaculation, if that is a concern
• Any pain — where (perineum, testicles, penis, lower belly) and when (sitting, peeing, ejaculating)
• Operations or radiotherapy on the prostate or pelvis, and medicines you take
• How much it affects work, exercise, sleep or your relationship

6 questions to ask

1. Can I do pelvic floor exercises — which ones, and when can I start after surgery?
2. Is my pelvic floor weak, tight or both? Should I strengthen it or learn to relax it first?
3. Could my prostate be involved? Do I need any tests?
4. My erections have changed — should my heart and blood vessels be checked too?
5. Would a pelvic floor physical therapist help? Can you refer me?
6. How long should I train before we judge whether it’s working, and which changes mean I should come back sooner?

If it feels awkward to start

Any of these openers works — or just hand over this page:

• “I’d like to talk about something a bit personal.”
• “I’ve noticed some dribbling after I pee and I want to check it’s nothing serious.”
• “Since my operation I’m still using pads — is that expected at this point?”
• “I’ve had some changes with erections and I’d like to understand why.”

Until your visit

Stick to gentle breathing and relaxation: breathe slowly into your belly and let the area between your legs soften as you breathe in. After prostate surgery, wait for your surgical team’s go-ahead — usually once the catheter is out. If you have pain, hold off on strengthening squeezes until a doctor or physical therapist has checked you.

Our free breathing-paced relaxation timer can guide you through it.

See a doctor soon if you have

• Blood in your urine or semen — even if nothing else bothers you
• Pain or burning when you pee
• A weak stream, trouble starting, or a feeling you can’t fully empty your bladder
• Pain in the perineum, pelvis, testicles or when ejaculating
• Pelvic surgery in the last 3 months, or a catheter that is still in
• Erection problems that keep happening — sometimes they are an early sign of heart and blood vessel problems
• Symptoms that started suddenly or are getting worse fast

This guide is general information for adults. It does not replace medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.

Source: NICE guideline CG97, Lower urinary tract symptoms in men (supervised pelvic floor training for at least 3 months after prostate removal).

Read the version for women →