From the Guidelines
To relax the pelvic floor muscles and improve erectile rigidity, pelvic floor muscle training, such as Kegel exercises, is recommended 1.
Key Considerations
- This training can help alleviate pelvic dysfunction, which is often associated with sexual dysfunction, including erectile rigidity 1.
- Pelvic physical therapy can be an effective treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction, leading to improvements in sexual function, including arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction 1.
- It is essential to consult a healthcare provider before initiating any new exercise or treatment regimen, particularly if experiencing persistent or severe erectile dysfunction.
Additional Treatment Options
- While the provided evidence primarily focuses on treatments for sexual dysfunction in survivors of gynecologic cancers, topical prescription medications such as vaginal estrogen or vaginal androgens (e.g., DHEA) may be considered for treating related conditions like vaginal dryness or pain with sexual activity 1.
- However, the use of these medications should be approached with caution, especially in survivors of hormonally mediated cancers, due to limited safety data 1.
- Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like ospemifene may also be considered for treating dyspareunia in survivors without a history of estrogen-dependent cancers 1.
From the Research
Relaxing Pelvic Floor Muscles to Improve Erectile Rigidity
To relax the pelvic floor muscles and improve erectile rigidity, several studies suggest the following:
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises and biofeedback can be an effective treatment for men with erectile dysfunction, as shown in a randomized controlled trial 2
- A narrative review of 37 papers found that pelvic floor physical therapy treatment, including education and rehabilitation, can improve erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in males 3
- A systematic review of pelvic floor muscle training for erectile dysfunction after prostatectomy found that most studies demonstrated improvements in erectile dysfunction with pelvic floor muscle training, although the quality of the studies was limited 4
Key Findings
- Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles through exercises and manual physical therapy can improve erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation 3
- Pelvic floor muscle training can improve urinary continence and erectile function after radical prostatectomy 5
- A multifaceted approach, including lifestyle changes and biofeedback, may be beneficial in treating erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation 2, 3
Exercise Recommendations
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises, such as Kegel exercises, can be beneficial in improving erectile function 2, 4
- Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization exercises may be a promising alternative to traditional pelvic floor exercises for managing stress urinary incontinence and potentially erectile dysfunction 6
- Exercises should be monitored and tailored to the individual's needs, avoiding situations that involve hyperactivity or increased tone of the pelvic floor muscles 3