Men: Pelvic Floor Training Matches Flomax for LUTS Relief — Without the Side Effects

One in three older men experience urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate. New research shows pelvic floor training matches Flomax for relief — naturally, safely, and without the side effects.

What Are Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)?

Around one in three older men experience Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms — known as LUTS. They are more common than most men realise, and more treatable than most men expect.

LUTS fall into two broad categories:

Storage symptoms — urgency, frequency, and nocturia (needing to get up more than once a night to urinate)
Voiding symptoms — straining to urinate, a weak urine stream, difficulty starting, and after-dribble

Until recently, these symptoms were assumed to be almost entirely caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) — the prostate gland enlarging with age and obstructing the flow of urine through the urethra. BPH is extremely common and the standard first-line medical treatment has been alpha-blocker drugs such as Flomax Relief (tamsulosin), which work by relaxing the muscles around the prostate to relieve pressure on the urethra.

But a significant piece of research suggests there is another highly effective option — one with no side effects at all.

The Study That Changes the Conversation

A study published in the International Journal of Urology in March 2017 by Dutch researchers set out to investigate whether pelvic floor muscle dysfunction — not just prostate enlargement — might be a significant contributing factor to LUTS.

41 men aged 51–82 with moderate to severe LUTS were divided into two groups:

Group 1 — received Flomax Relief (tamsulosin) for 90 days
Group 2 — received pelvic floor muscle training for 90 days, alongside counselling on nutrition and urination habits

After 90 days, both groups had reduced their prostate symptom scores and both showed improvement in a LUTS-specific quality of life index. But here is the significant finding: the men who received pelvic floor muscle training had a better perception of improvement than those on the medication.

The study authors noted that more research with larger groups is needed to fully confirm these findings — but the direction of travel is clear and compelling. Pelvic floor training delivered results comparable to a first-line prescription drug, with none of the side effects.

The Side Effects of Flomax — Worth Knowing

Flomax Relief works by relaxing the muscles around the prostate — it does not shrink the prostate itself. And while it is effective for many men, it comes with a side effect profile that is worth being aware of. Reported side effects include:

Dizziness and low blood pressure
Ejaculatory dysfunction and reduced sperm count
Loss of libido
Priapism — a painful, long-lasting erection lasting over four hours

We are not suggesting men stop taking prescribed medication without speaking to their GP first. But knowing that pelvic floor training has been shown to achieve comparable results — with none of these side effects — is information every man with LUTS deserves to have.

What a Strong Pelvic Floor Can Do for Men

A naturally strong, toned and healthy pelvic floor can directly address the symptoms of LUTS, BPH and prostate enlargement — and the benefits go well beyond bladder control. A stronger pelvic floor in men can help with:

Urinary incontinence — leaking urine, from a few drops to a steady flow throughout the day
Stress incontinence — leaking when sitting down, standing up, coughing, sneezing or bending forward
Urge incontinence — a sudden, overwhelming urge to urinate, sometimes leaking before reaching the toilet
Frequency — needing to urinate more often than normal
Nocturia — getting up more than once a night to use the toilet
After-dribble — leaking urine after finishing urinating
Arousal leakage — leaking a small amount of urine when sexually aroused
Stronger erections — improved pelvic floor tone supports erectile function
Bowel problems — including faecal incontinence and uncontrollable wind

Kegel8 V for Men — Targeted Pelvic Floor Training

The Kegel8 V for Men uses gentle neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to target and strengthen the male pelvic floor directly — making every contraction more effective than manual exercises alone. With structured programmes designed specifically for men's pelvic health, it is the most complete approach to addressing LUTS, bladder leaks and prostate symptoms naturally.

Explore Kegel8 V for Men →

Talk to Your GP First

If you are experiencing LUTS symptoms, always speak to your GP before making any changes to prescribed medication. LUTS can sometimes indicate an underlying condition that needs medical attention. This article is intended to inform and empower — not to replace professional medical advice. The good news is that more GPs are now aware of the evidence for pelvic floor training, and many will actively support it alongside or instead of medication.

Sources & Further Reading

Geraerts, I. et al. (2017). 'Pelvic floor muscle training for lower urinary tract symptoms in men: a randomised controlled trial comparing pelvic floor muscle training with the alpha-blocker tamsulosin.' International Journal of Urology, March 2017. Available at: internationaljournalofurology.com [Viewed June 2026].
NHS. (2024). Tamsulosin — Flomax Relief. Available at: nhs.uk [Viewed June 2026].
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2023). Lower urinary tract symptoms in men: management. Available at: nice.org.uk/guidance/cg97 [Viewed June 2026].