
Do erectile dysfunction exercises help?
Erectile dysfunction happens when a man cannot get or maintain an erection. It is common in men of all ages.
Muscles, especially those essential in maintaining an erection, sometimes lose tone and strength. As a result, exercises can help to reverse erectile dysfunction (ED).
Causes and risk factors for ED include:
- smoking
- alcohol use
- obesity
- cardiovascular disease
- metabolic syndrome
- prostate cancer
- stroke
- low levels of physical activity
Treating the reason of ED will have long-lasting results, while medication only provides temporary relief. Also, some people find medication to be ineffective.
Sometimes, psychological factors are responsible for ED. In these cases, a person can benefit from forms of talking therapy.
What types of exercise can help?
Exercises that strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor can benefit people with ED.
The pelvic floor muscles are key in sustaining blood flow to the penis and maintaining erections.
The muscles do this by putting pressure on the penile veins. The pressure prevents blood from leaving the area, making an erection possible.
- Activating pelvic floor muscles
This exercise is simple but essential. It teaches a person to activate their pelvic floor muscles.
- Inhale and release for a count of three.
- Lie down with the knees bent, the feet flat on the floor, and the arms by the sides.
- Exhale and squeeze the pelvic floor muscles for a count of three.
Take time identifying the right group of muscles — those at the bottom of the pelvis. It can be easy to accidentally contract other muscles instead, particularly those of the stomach, buttocks, or legs.
- Sitting pelvic floor activation
- Sit with the arms at the sides and the feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
- Using the same technique as above, activate the pelvic floor muscles for a count of three, and release for a count of three.
- Ensure that the stomach, buttocks, and leg muscles are not contracting.
- Stand straight with the arms by the sides, and the feet hip-width apart.
- Using the technique above, activate the pelvic floor muscles for a count of three, and issue for a count of three.
- Ensure that the stomach, buttocks, and leg muscles are not contracting.