What About Ken?: Sexual Dysfunction and Pain in Younger Men? 

Sexual pain and dysfunction in younger men is an underserved population with valid and real needs for treatment and education. Pelvic health physical therapists can provide musculoskeletal-based treatment to address pain and dysfunction. This session will further inform health care professionals of the musculoskeletal side of sexual pain and dysfunction in younger males and the positive outcomes that can be achieved through collaboration.

1. Identify patients in the second and third decades that may have dysfunctional intercourse in pelvic health practice.
2. Explore musculoskeletal causes of urogenital pain in younger men.
3. Utilize a biopsychosocial and trauma-informed language approach when discussing sexual dysfunction to reduce fear and improve participation and compliance in physical therapy treatment plans of care.
4. Apply beginning treatment techniques to those patients with sexual dysfunction.

Pamela A. Downey, PT, DPT, Pelvic & Women's Health Board-Certified Specialist, is a Board Certified Specialist in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, Board Certified in Biofeedback for Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction and a Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner. She has more than 25 years of experience treating individuals with pelvic pain including neuralgias of the lumbosacral plexus, voiding and sexual dysfunction, pregnancy-related and post-partum musculoskeletal dysfunction, including diastasis recti, sacroiliac joint pain and dyspareunia. Dr Downey sees oncology patients including those involving the breast, bowel, bladder and prostate. She has extensive experience in applying Pilates therapeutic movement into physical therapy and pelvic health practice. Dr. Downey’s private practice, Partnership in Therapy is located in Miami, FL, and welcomes all persons from adolescents to octogenarians for personalized one-on-one care.

Dr. Downey is an assistant professor in the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Coral Gables, Florida She received her Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and her Master of Science, Doctorate in Physical Therapy and is all but dissertation in her Doctor of Philosophy from University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Downey has presented research and lectured nationally and internationally at professional conferences and has authored a book chapter on pelvic pain in the medical text Women’s Health Physical Therapy. She is actively involved in the Academy of Pelvic Health of the American Physical Therapy Association, a Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation Educator, and Senior Faculty in the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.

Helen Sun, MD