Six Exercises To Correct Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man cannot get or maintain an erection. It can happen to any man irrespective of age. When such occurs doctors may prescribe phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, such as Viagra. Although lifestyle changes, including exercise and weight loss, are also effective in treating ED.

Muscles, especially those important in maintaining an erection, sometimes lose tone and strength. As a result, exercises can help to reverse erectile dysfunction (ED).

What types of exercise can help?

Exercises that strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor benefits 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.

There are two classes of exercises that can help: Kegel and Pilate exercises 

Kegel exercises:

Pelvic floor exercises, or Kegels, are the most beneficial for ED.

These exercises target the muscles at the bottom of the pelvis, and particularly one called the pubococcygeus. This loops from the pubic bone to the tailbone and supports the pelvic organs.

When this muscle weakens, it is unable to prevent blood from flowing out of the erect penis.

Performing pelvic floor exercises will strengthen and improve tone in the pubococcygeus. It can take 4–6 weeks before a person notices a difference in erections.

1. Activating pelvic floor muscles

This exercise is simple but important. It teaches  a person to activate their pelvic floor muscles.

• 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.
• Inhale and release 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.

2. 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.

3. Standing pelvic floor activation

• 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 release for a count of three.
• Ensure that the stomach, buttocks, and leg muscles are not contracting.

Once a person is comfortable performing Kegel exercises three times a day, it can help to add exercises that involve more movement.

Pilates exercises:

These Pilates exercises activate the right group of muscles and challenge a person to maintain pelvic floor strength while moving.

4. Knee fallouts

This is a beginners' exercise that involves small movements.

• Lie down with the knees bent, the feet flat on the floor, and the arms by the sides.
• Keep the spine in a neutral position, with a small space between the middle of the back and the floor.
• Exhale, squeeze the pelvic floor muscles, and slowly lower one knee to the floor. Only lower it as far as possible while maintaining activation of the pelvic floor muscles. Keep the pelvis stable.
• Inhale, release the muscles, and bend the knee again.
• Repeat on the other side.
• Start with four or five repetitions on each side and build up to 10.

• 5. Supine foot raises

  This exercise builds on knee fallouts and involves small movements.
  • Lie down with the knees bent, the feet flat on the floor, and the arms by the sides.
  • Exhale, engage the pelvic floor muscles, and slowly raise one foot off the floor. Keep the pelvis and the spine still.
  • Inhale, lower the foot back to the ground.
  • Alternate sides.

  • 6. Pelvic curl

    This exercise is common in Pilates.
    • Lie down with the knees bent, the feet flat on the floor, and the arms by the sides.
    • Keep the spine in a neutral position, with a small space between the middle of the back and the floor.
    • Exhale, and engage the pelvic floor muscles.
    • Tilt the pelvis upward toward the belly button, while pressing the back flat against the floor.
    • Slowly lift the buttocks and push the heels into the floor.
    • Squeeze the buttocks while lifting it and the lower and middle back.
    • The body's weight should be resting on the shoulders.
    • Take three breaths and squeeze the buttocks and pelvic floor muscles.
    • Slowly lower the buttocks and back, vertebra by vertebra, to the floor.
    • Repeat three to four times initially, and build up to 10 repetitions.