I asked a leading sex expert-urologist if Kegels help with impotence and orgasm. He said no. He said that the rehab people say it’s true, but it’s not. Can you lead me to any research on this topic? I’m a retired prof so I have a password for all the online medical journals.
Responses
Leave a Response
You must be logged in to post a comment.
The urologist you asked has not kept up with the research. Several studies show that Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor strengthening exercises, help restore lost or iffy erections. Some references:
Sighinolfi, MC et al. “Potential Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Treatment for Post-Radical Prostatectomy Incontinence, Climacturia, and Erectile Dysfunction: A Case Series,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2009) 6:3496.
Dorey, G. “Restoring Pelvic Floor Function in Men: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials,” British Journal of Nursing (2005) 14:1014.
Dorey, G et al. “Pelvic Floor Exercises for Erectile Dysfunction,” BJU [formerly British Journal of Urology] International (2005) 96:595.
Claes, H and L Baert. “Pelvic Floor Exercise Vs. Surgery in the Treatment of Impotence,” British Journal of Urology (1993) 71:52.
From my reading of the medical literature, Kegel exercises are no miracle, but they help. So why would this sex expert-urologist disagree? In my experience, this usually has to do with the “ladder of care.” When people have medical problems, they typically try self-help approaches first. If those work, they don’t see a doctor. They only see doctors when self-help doesn’t work. So doctors don’t see a cross-section of the population, just those who haven’t responded to self-help. When men come in with ED, chances are your urologist asks men what they’ve already tried. Some have probably said “Kegels, but they didn’t work.” That’s probably why your urologists thinks they don’t. If they worked, those men wouldn’t have consulted him. Doctors are often biased against self-help because patients have told them it hasn’t worked. Of course, when it works, doctors don’t hear that. The medical literature shows that Kegels can help.
It sounds like you’re quite familiar with pelvic floor exercises. But on the chance that you might want to review your technique, read my article on Kegels.