Pelvic Muscle Press

Sexual dysfunctions in men are complex and can stem from various biological and psychological factors. While research has primarily focused on hormonal, neurological, and vascular issues, 90% of sexual dysfunctions are actually caused by a lack of blood flow to the genital.

Sexual dysfunctions includes a range of issues such as erectile dysfunction (difficulty in achieving an erection) and premature ejaculation (ejaculating sooner then desired). Research indicates that erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation affect as many as 52% and 30% of men in the general population.

The pelvic floor is a bowl of muscles that hold up all your organs. Their role is to help with sexual function, urination, defecation and support of the pelvic organs. In terms of sexual function, the pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in the process of achieving, maintaining, and intensifying an erection.

The outer layer of the pelvic floor is mainly responsible for sexual function. The key muscles involved are: the bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus and pubococcygeus muscles.

The bulbospongiosus primary role is to enhance erection pressure, and help with ejaculation. It enhances erection pressure by compressing the base of the penis, pushing more blood into the genital, similar to enhancing an urine flow. Additionally, it helps with ejaculation by contracting during orgasms, aiding ejaculation by propelling semen forward. A stronger bulbospongiosus muscle contributes to stronger erections and more powerful ejaculations.

The ischiocavernosus muscle primary role is to maintain erections by increasing penile rigidity and trapping blood. During contraction it compresses the deep veins, reducing blood leaving the penis. A stronger ischiocavernosus muscle contributes to improved erection sustainability.

The pubococcygeus muscle primary role is to control orgasms. It helps delay ejaculation by tightening around the anus, similar to stopping an urine flow. A stronger pubococcygeus muscle enhances the ability to control orgasms.

To activate your pelvic floor muscles effectively, the position of your legs can influence how well you can feel and engage the muscles

With a wide leg position, similar to a sumo squat, your pelvic muscles are lengthened. This can help stretch and open the pelvic floor, but makes it harder to contract.

With a narrow leg position, your pelvic muscles are shortened. This enhances the ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles, leading to optimal pelvic floor engagement.

Pelvic floor muscle training should not be done when you have high tone pelvic floor dysfunction (the pelvic floor becomes in a overly tight, hypertonic state resulting in urgent and frequent urination, as well as pain during sexual intercourse, erections, and ejaculation). In that case, stretching the pelvic floor might be more beneficial. It's always a good idea to see a pelvic floor physical therapist to provide valuable support.