Pelvic exercises might improve erection

Exercises, which strengthen the muscles at the base of the penis (pelvic floor), may appear to be useful for treating erection difficulties.Researchers from The Somerset Nuffield Hospital in Taunton, UK found that pelvic floor exercises should be considered as a first-line approach for men seeking long-term resolution of their erectile dysfunction.They conducted a study on 55 men with erection difficulties who were randomly selected to receive lifestyle advice, such as quitting smoking, with or without training in pelvic floor exercises. After three months, subjects in the non-exercise group who showed no response were treated with the exercise intervention. A physiotherapist provided the exercise training to men. He instructed them to tighten their pelvic floor muscles as if they were trying to prevent gas passing. In addition, emphasis was placed on the ability to retract the penis and lift the scrotum using pelvic muscles. After three months of training, men were encouraged to continue the exercises at home for three additional months. At that point, erectile function, based on a standard scoring system, was significantly better in the pelvic exercise group than in comparison subjects. The men who crossed over to the intervention displayed a significant improvement in function three months later.After six months, evaluation by an independent assessor showed that 40 percent of the men had normal erectile function, 35.5 percent had improved function, and 24.5 percent saw no improvement. Besides being a first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction, pelvic floor exercises could serve as an additional aid for men receiving other types of therapy.