Don’t feel bad about asking your doctor the above question – it isn’t as silly as it seems.
It does make sense, after all: erections require constant muscle function. And the pelvic muscles responsible for helping you produce an erection aren’t all that different from the ones you go to physical therapy (PT) to treat, such as your legs and arms.
That said, we need to start with your male parts. You already know the fundamentals, such as your prostate, testicles, and ejaculation. However, you might not have thought about the interlinked networks of muscles that actually enable your sexual function to fire on all cylinders.
See, the penis, its muscles, and the circulation of blood you need to produce a firm, long-lasting erection are all interconnected in a variety of complex ways. These physiological systems – more importantly, the muscles that support them – need to be in tip-top shape for you to function at your best.
The most important muscles for optimal erectile function are the ones located in your pelvic floor.
Pelvic floor exercises (also known as Kegel exercises) are often mischaracterized as a sexual dysfunction solely targeting women, but nothing could be further from the truth. They play a key role in supporting not only erections but also bowel and bladder function. If you want to improve your erectile function, Kegel exercises might just be your jam.
In essence, the pelvic floor muscles are the same ones you may be unconsciously using to control urine flow and bladder function. So are the pelvic floor muscles that contract when you reach orgasm. And all of them are involved in optimal erectile health and function. Best of all, you can do pelvic floor exercises anywhere you are by simply contracting them.
How are pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises done?
Here’s how to do pelvic floor exercises like a pro:
- Before beginning, empty your bladder and then lie down or sit in a comfortable position.
- Tighten or squeeze the pelvic muscles and hold for 3-5 seconds.
- Continue the process for ten repetitions three times a day, morning, afternoon, and evening.
And voila! That’s pretty much all you need to know about how to do pelvic floor exercises or Kegels. If you feel pain or discomfort while doing them, then you might need to check your form.
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Does getting PT for ED actually work?
Based on a 2022 study, physical therapy does indeed appear to work not only for cases involving ED but also for premature ejaculation (ED). 37 papers were reviewed in this study and which determined that PT was a net positive for individuals with ED and PE. Two birds, one stone.
Another benefit pelvic floor muscle exercises can bring is that they may help men improve their sexual performance after having undergone procedures or surgeries like prostatectomies.
Granted, the results are preliminary, but the evidence certainly calls for further research.
Individuals struggling with multiple sclerosis and sexual dysfunction have benefited from PT – and it is possible that the latter can help individuals with premature ejaculation, pending further research.
It may take up to six weeks of PT sessions to notice any tangible changes, and you may need to continue going to them continue to achieve your performance goals.
Is physical therapy the best treatment option for erectile dysfunction?
There’s no question that PT and its exponents such as Kegel exercises are beneficial, but they aren’t the silver bullets for effective ED treatment.
In fact, there are more ED treatments out there than you can shake a stick at, such as taking ED medicines, getting therapy, or getting regular exercise, all of which have had sterling track records as far as effectiveness is concerned.
- Prescription ED medicines. One of the most effective and available methods of treating erectile dysfunction is through medicines called PDE-5 inhibitors. This class of drugs include sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), or vardenafil (Levitra®) to boost blood circulation in your penis, relax the smooth muscles in your penis, and fill the penile tissue with blood to produce and maintain an erection harder, longer, and easier.
- Implementing lifestyle changes and exercising. Studies indicate that people with underlying medical conditions such as obesity, hypertension or cardiovascular disease can benefit from regular exercise. Doing several sessions of at least 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise can do wonders for your erectile function. Moreover, exercise reduces heart disease risks. Pairing it with lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption not only can improve erectile function, but also your overall health.
- Therapy and counseling. Another approach you might want to consider is psychotherapy or counseling. Performance anxiety, fear, and overthinking can affect your sex life just as much as underlying medical conditions can. If you feel you need to talk privately, there are plenty of online platforms on which to get help anywhere you might be.
These three options share one common denominator: they work best when performed under the guidance of medical professionals.
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The final word on physical therapy for ED
Feel like taking control and action to improve your erectile function at your own pace and on your own time? Pelvic floor exercises and similar techniques may help you boost your erectile function.
However, do know that physical therapy isn’t your only option – in fact, it might not even be the best one for your particular situation.
If you’re struggling with ED, you won’t regain the sex life you wish you had without taking action.
That said, the first thing you need to do is to consult a healthcare professional, age, weight, or Kegel abilities notwithstanding.
They are trained to identify which aspects of your health may be affecting your erectile function.
Moreover, they can prescribe medicines that are proven to work effectively and safely against ED, besides offering advice on what exercises you can perform to boost erectile health, how you should change your lifestyle habits and determine which bad ones you should drop – particularly those that affect your erectile performance.
Help is out there – it’s all a matter of talking to someone to find the most suitable treatment approach for you.
