the Power of Pelvic Floor Therapy in Managing
erectile dysfunction
Pelvic floor therapy might not be the first thing that comes to mind when discussing treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). However, this specialized form of therapy has been gaining attention and demonstrating remarkable results in addressing ED. Let's delve into the connection between pelvic floor therapy and its efficacy in treating this prevalent condition.
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction:
ED is a common condition that affects millions of men worldwide. It’s characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. While there are various causes—ranging from psychological factors to underlying health issues—physical conditions, including pelvic floor dysfunction, can play a significant role.
The Role of the Pelvic Floor:
The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that support the organs in the pelvis, including the bladder and rectum. They also play a crucial role in sexual function by assisting in erectile function, ejaculation, and orgasm.
When these muscles are tense, weak, or dysfunctional due to various reasons such as injury, surgery, or chronic tension, they can contribute to ED. Tension or weakness in the pelvic floor can impede proper blood flow to the genital area, affecting the ability to achieve or maintain an erection.
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Helps:
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues in the pelvic area. Therapists use a range of techniques, including exercises, manual therapy, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques, to address issues with the pelvic floor.
For ED, pelvic floor therapy aims to address tension, weakness, or any other dysfunction in these muscles. By doing so, it can improve blood flow, reduce muscle tension, and enhance the overall function of the pelvic floor, potentially leading to improvements in erectile function.
The Process:
During pelvic floor therapy sessions, a therapist may conduct a thorough assessment to identify specific issues with the pelvic floor muscles. Based on this assessment, a personalized treatment plan is developed. Techniques might involve:
Exercises: Targeted exercises to strengthen or relax the pelvic floor muscles.
Biofeedback: Using sensors to monitor muscle activity and guide patients in controlling these muscles.
Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to release tension and improve muscle function.
Education: Providing information about lifestyle changes and habits that can support pelvic floor health.
The Results:
Research and clinical studies have shown promising results in using pelvic floor therapy to address ED. Patients have reported improvements in erectile function, sexual satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Some individuals have experienced a reduction in the severity of ED or even a complete resolution of the issue.
Pelvic floor therapy offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to addressing ED by focusing on the underlying physical issues that might contribute to the condition. It's important to note that individual results may vary, and a comprehensive approach involving healthcare professionals, including urologists and physical therapists, might be necessary for the best outcomes.
This therapy not only targets ED but can also address other pelvic health concerns, making it a holistic approach to men's health. If you’re experiencing symptoms of ED or have pelvic floor issues, consulting with a healthcare professional can guide you towards the most suitable treatment, potentially including pelvic floor therapy.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises for Erectile Dysfunction
Kegels and other exercises for your pelvic floor muscles can help with ED, but you have to do them regularly to see changes in your erections. It typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to see any changes. There are three Kegel exercises you can try, and all of them work the muscles on the floor of your pelvis.
Follow these steps:
Lay on your back with your arms by your sides and your knees bent. Place your feet flat on the floor.
Exhale and squeeze the pelvic floor muscles on the count of three.
Breathe in and let go
Make sure you are focusing on the right group of muscles as you do this.
Activation while sitting:
Sit with your hips apart, arms at your sides, and feet firmly on the floor.
Using the above methods, activate the pelvic floor muscles by exhaling and inhaling three times.
the muscles in your stomach, buttocks, and legs shouldn't tighten.
Activation while standing:
Stand straight with your arms at your sides and your hips about hip-width apart.
To get your pelvic floor muscles to work, follow the steps above and breathe in and out three times.
When you perform this movement, the muscles in your stomach, buttocks, and legs shouldn't tighten.
You can do the Kegel exercises three times a day and slowly increase the number of times you do them.
Stretching
The stretching method helps relax the muscles in the pelvic floor. Start the exercise by lying on your back. Bring the bottoms of your feet together while letting your knees fall out to the sides. Make sure the feet are close to the ground. Take a deep breath in, hold it for five seconds, and then let it out. Hold the position for between 30 and 90 seconds.
Breathing Exercises:
Because the diaphragm is connected to the pelvis, it is an important part of the pelvic floor muscles. If you do breathing exercises, you can help relax the muscles on the floor of your pelvis, which can help ease the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
You can do the breathing exercises by sitting down with your feet apart, relaxing your lower jaw, letting your belly relax, and letting your shoulders hang loose. Take a deep breath, focus on making your pelvic muscles soft, and then let out your breath. Do this five times.
People with erectile dysfunction can also benefit from doing other exercises, like aerobics. ED happens when the blood flow to the penis isn't great, which can be caused by conditions like diabetes and heart disease that make the blood flow slow down. So, if you walk quickly for 30 minutes every day, it could help with erectile dysfunction. As part of your aerobics, you can cycle, take a spin class, row, run, skip, or box.
Other things you can do to treat erectile dysfunction are to stop smoking, drink less alcohol, exercise more, eat healthier, and talk to a therapist (stress, anxiety, and depression can lead to ED, so talking about it may help).
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Can Help With Erectile Dysfunction Following Prostatectomy
According to a recent study, only 16–22% of men who have had a prostatectomy regain their pre-surgery erectile function. This means that between 78 and 84% of men never regain penile function. As a result, men with prostate cancer are four times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
However, there is evidence that a direct link exists between the strength of the pelvic floor muscles and the stiffness of the erect penis. As a result, pelvic floor muscle training is recommended as the first step for men who want to overcome erectile dysfunction.
A recent study on the efficacy of pelvic floor physical therapy divided men who had undergone prostate surgery into two groups. To keep things simple, we'll refer to these groups as the "NFL Kegel Team" and the "FBS/FFCS Kegel Team."
Both groups received two sessions with a physical therapist prior to surgery to learn how to do pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises. This will be known as a "Spring training kegel program"
Spring Training Kegel program
The "FBS/FFCS Kegel team" was told to do 10 repetitions of 10-second contractions, three times per day. One set was lying on their backs, another was sitting in a chair, and the third was standing.
The "NFL Kegel Team" was told to do 10 repetitions of 10-second contractions, followed by 10 repetitions of quick flicks, six times a day. All of the sets were completed while standing.
Both teams were told to practice their respective kegel programs for 5 weeks before their prostatectomy surgery.
Regular Season Training Kegel program
Following surgery, both groups began an additional 12 weeks of "Regular Season Kegel" training.
The "FBS/FFCS Kegel Team" training consisted of 10 repetitions of 10-second contraction holds performed three times per day. One set was on their backs, another was sitting in a chair, and the third was standing.
The "NFL Kegel Team" training consisted of 10 repetitions of 10-second contraction holds followed by 10 repetitions of quick flicks performed six times per day. All of the sets were completed while standing.
So which team won the pelvic floor championship?
Following surgery, both groups experienced a significant and immediate reduction in erectile function.
At two weeks after surgery, the "NFL kegel team" reported significantly less distress in their quality of life scores.
At 3 months, 74% of the "NFL kegel team" had full urinary continence, whereas only 43% of the "FBS / FCS kegel team" did.
The "NFL kegel team" also reported a faster return to sexual activity.
What does this mean for you?
Knowing how to perform a proper pelvic floor muscle contraction, or kegel, is essential for improving erectile function.