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Hard Flaccid Syndrome (HFS) is a condition that affects the penis and pelvic area. It is not caused by infection or hormones but by muscle tension and nerve problems in the pelvic floor. Common symptoms include a firm or semi-rigid penis when not aroused, pain, numbness, burning, and changes in sensitivity or function. These symptoms often get worse with stress, sitting, or exercise.
While research is still growing, HFS is now understood to be closely linked to pelvic floor dysfunction. If you’ve been diagnosed with Hard Flaccid Syndrome, you’re not alone—and there are options to help.
Hard Flaccid Syndrome is a functional condition that affects the nerves, blood flow, and muscles in the pelvic area. Many men report:
This condition is often caused by tight pelvic floor muscles, which can press on nearby nerves and blood vessels. Stress, overuse, poor posture, and trauma may also play a role.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, rectum, and sexual organs. These include the bulbospongiosus, levator ani, and obturator internus muscles. When they become too tight, they can affect blood flow and nerve function to the penis.
Men with HFS may have trouble relaxing these muscles, which causes pain and tension. This tension can reduce circulation, trap nerves like the pudendal or dorsal penile nerve, and lead to a cycle of discomfort and stress.
Another piece of the puzzle is fascia—a type of connective tissue around muscles. In HFS, tight fascia in the pelvic or abdominal wall can limit blood return and squeeze nerves. This may cause burning, numbness, and that “full” feeling in the penis.
This can also cause central sensitization, a nervous system condition where the brain becomes more sensitive to pain signals, even after the original injury has healed.
Dry needling is a treatment that uses thin, sterile needles to release tight muscle knots (trigger points). It can reach deep muscles in the pelvic floor, such as the levator ani and obturator internus, that are hard to treat with other methods.
Dry needling may help:
In a case study, dry needling helped a man with severe pelvic floor tension and urinary frequency. After 10 sessions, he improved from urinating every 30 minutes to 6–8 times a day, with results lasting for 3 months.¹
Another clinical study showed that dry needling reduced central pain sensitivity and improved mood and function in patients with pelvic pain.²
And in men with chronic pelvic pain, combining dry needling with relaxation techniques reduced pain in over 80% of participants.³
At our clinic, we take a full-body, trauma-informed approach to treating Hard Flaccid Syndrome. Every treatment plan is tailored to your symptoms and goals and may include:
Our goal is to restore balance to the nervous system, muscles, and circulation so your body can begin to heal.
If you’re diagnosed with and dealing with Hard Flaccid Syndrome, there are real, body-based solutions available. Pelvic floor dry needling is a non-surgical, non-medication approach that can reduce pain and improve quality of life. You don’t have to suffer in silence—help is here.
