Pelvic - floor muscle rehabilitation in erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Lavoisier P, et al. PTJ (2014)94:1731-1743.

This French research group has set out to objectively measure the increased pressure generated by the ischiocavernosus (IC) muscle during erection. Several papers have proposed that PFM exercises can improve erectile dysfunction (ED) through the following mechanism - stronger PFM, specifically the IC muscle, provides pressure at the base of the penis so that blood is maintained in the penis and erection is maintained.  This paper has a much more scientific explanation.  Study was observational - no control group or variations in treatment groups.  Patients were seen weekly (up to 20 sessions) and received

·         Penile injection of prostaglandin E1 to induce erection
·         Electrical stimulation to the dorsal penis 80 Hz, 30 minutes
·         Isolated, voluntary IC muscle exercises - they are not specific as to how they are sure it is an isolated contraction or the instructions given to achieve an isolated contraction. Results state there were a median of 318 to 312 "pressure peaks per session".  Not sure if this means they did over three hundred IC contractions?

Results show increase in pressure as a result of training over 80% with a conclusion that "pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation was found to be beneficial in erectile dysfunction". 

 Hoping for a little stimulating Holiday discussion:

Firstly I think it is wrong to make this conclusion when penile injections where also given.  Do we know if weekly penile injections will improve penile pressures?

 Secondly, how do you isolate the IC muscle and how many PTs are recommending over 300 contractions in their training programs?

 Also wonder if anyone is doing electrical stimulation on the penis for ED?

 Please post comments.