Hi friends! Did you know that the pelvic floor muscles are important for sexual function in both males and females? Up to half of males experience erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation (Myers, 2019). When the pelvic floor muscles are the culprit, pelvic floor muscle training has shown to be an effective treatment strategy!
If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation it is important to speak with your physician as this could be a sign of cardiovascular disease or a neurological condition.
The male pelvic floor works similar to that of the female pelvic floor in that it supports the abdominal contents, controls the sphincters to hold in poop/gas and urine (it also lets them out when appropriate), and helps with sexual function (Myers, 2019).
Two of the pelvic floor muscles, the ischiocavernosus and bulbocavernosus, contract to create and maintain and erection. These same muscles also rhythmically contract for ejaculation (Myers, 2019; Pastore, 2018; Lavoiseier, 2014). If these muscles are weak, tight, or uncoordinated this can cause sexual dysfunction (Myers, 2019).
For optimal functioning, the pelvic floor muscles need to be able to contract with both power and endurance. Short, strong contractions are needed for ejaculation and long, submaximal contractions are needed for sustaining an erection (Myers, 2019).
A pelvic floor therapist is specially trained can help to train these muscles to get stronger and do the right thing at the right time. One study of men who had previously tried other therapies including medications and creams without improvement, found that 90% had improvement following a 12 week program of pelvic floor muscle training (Pastore, 2018). A review of several studies found that pelvic floor muscle training is effective in treating both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in the non-neurological, non-post surgical male population (Myers, 2019). The great part about pelvic floor muscle training is that it does not have side effects like medications including nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, and even a negative impact on fertility (Pastore, 2018).
To find a pelvic floor therapist near you ask your provider for a referral or visit www.mypfm.com/find-a-pt. If you are struggling to find a pelvic therapist with availability near you, take our self-paced course Overcoming Premature Ejaculation with Dr. Susie Gronski, DPT, PRPC, WCS.
To learn more about your pelvic floor, check out these great resources:
Watch our YouTube playlist Male Bodies and Your Pelvic Floor
Watch Netflix for Your Pelvic Floor at Pelvic Flicks
Learn more about your pelvic floor on our Instagram
Visit our Amazon store for our favorite pelvic health products
Sign up for our email newsletter
For providers, check out our online courses to help your clients. Consider joining our Ambassador Program and most of our courses are included with your membership!
Overcoming Erectile Dysfunction with Susie Gronski, PT, DPT
Treating Erectile Dysfunction: Guidance for Health Professionals with Susie Gronski, PT, DPT
Treating Premature Ejaculation: Guidance for Health Professionals with Susie Gronski, PT, DPT
Sexual Health and Pelvic Pain: Navigating care for cisgender men with Dr. Susie Gronski, BPT, PRPC, WCS
Written by Emily Reul, PT, DPT
References
Lavoiseier P, et al. Pelvic-floor muscle rehabilitation in erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Phys Ther. 2014;94(12):1731-43.
Myers C, Smith M. Pelvic floor muscle training improves erectile dysfunction and premature circulation: a systemic review. Physiotherapy. 2019;105(2):235-243.
Pastore AL et al. Pelvic muscle floor rehabilitation as a therapeutic option in lifelong premature ejaculation: long-term outcomes. Asian J Androl. 2018;20(6):572-575.