For so long it has been considered the staple of womens health - pelvic floor exercises, to regain muscle control after childbirth and promote a healthy sex life. More recently a survey has indicated that growing numbers of physiotherapists are turning their attention to pelvic floor exercises for the management of stress incontinence in men. Pelvic floor muscle exercises appear to be effective in men suffering from incontinence after some types of prostate surgery, and in treating some forms of erectile dysfunction.
Recent research by Grace Dorey suggests that pelvic floor exercises are highly effective in helping men who have problems developing and sustaining an erection.
Pelvic exercises can help both men with erectile dysfunction (impotence) and premature ejaculation, and also those who experience 'dribbling' after urinating. Similar to women, the researchers also found that men experienced stronger and more intense orgasms when their pelvic muscles were toned and strong.
Perhaps the most dramatic of Dr Grace Dorey’s findings was the improvement resulting from pelvic floor exercises compared to the use of Viagra - the results were the same.
Dr Dorey says "Historically, women have been advised to perform pelvic floor exercises especially before and after childbirth, hysterectomy and the menopause. This research shows that it is equally important for men to maintain the muscle tone and function of their pelvic floors.'
According to the Impotence Association, the pelvic exercises strengthen the muscles around the penis, improve the blood supply in the pelvis and thus 'enhance orgasmic sensations by strengthening the pelvic muscles that produce ejaculation by their contraction'. Pelvic exercises for men can be performed easily with really effective results. Devised by gynaecologist Dr Arnold Kegel these exercises are also know as kegel exercises - it involves squeezing the hammock of muscles in the abdominal region, which supports the bladder and the bowel and is made up of layers of muscle that stretch from the tailbone at the back to the pubic bone in front.
To find his pelvic floor muscles a man should sit or lie comfortably with the muscles of his thighs, bottom and stomach relaxed.
* Muscles around the anus - tighten the ring of muscle around the anus without squeezing your bottom. Some men find that using kegel exercisers are an effective way to restore and enhance muscle control within the anus.
*Muscles around the urethra - try to stop your flow of urine "mid-stream" and then restart it. Only do this to ascertain your ability to control the urine flow, regular stopping and starting amy affect ability to pass uringe effectively.
Once a man has located these muscle, he can start to exercise them by:
* Tightening and drawing in the muscles around the anus and urethra, lifting the muscles up inside. Hold this for the count of five, relax and repeat. Do this 10 times, relaxing for a few seconds between each set of pelvic floor exercises.
* Once a man has effectively located his pelvic floor muscles and learned to exercise them effectively, he can do these exercises whilst driving, watching television or evenm in the office.
