Dorey et al. – Pelvic Floor Exercises for Erectile Dysfunction
Citation
Dorey G, Speakman M, Feneley R, Swinkels A, Dunn C, Ewings P. Randomised controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle exercises and manometric biofeedback for erectile dysfunction. British Journal of General Practice / related publications around 2004–2005. (Also referenced in subsequent reviews as a key early RCT.)
Study Overview
This randomized controlled trial examined whether pelvic floor muscle exercises, combined with manometric biofeedback and lifestyle advice, could improve erectile function in men with erectile dysfunction compared with lifestyle advice alone.
Methodology Summary
Men with ED were randomly allocated to an intervention group that received pelvic floor training (including biofeedback to help ensure correct muscle recruitment) plus lifestyle advice, or to a control group that received lifestyle advice only. Erectile function was assessed with validated measures over a follow-up period of several months.
Key Findings
- The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in erectile function scores than the control group.
- A clinically meaningful proportion of men in the exercise arm improved; some reports summarizing the work note that around 40% of men regained normal erectile function scores in related analyses.
- The trial supported the feasibility and potential benefit of pelvic floor rehabilitation as a conservative option for selected men with ED.
Limitations
- Sample size was modest by modern standards.
- The intervention included biofeedback and therapist contact, so results may not fully generalize to completely unsupervised home exercise.
- ED has multiple causes; pelvic floor training addresses only some of them.
- Long-term durability beyond the study period requires further data.
Practical Meaning
This trial is one of the main pieces of evidence supporting the use of pelvic floor muscle training for men with erectile dysfunction. It does not claim that Kegels work for every man or that they increase penis size. It does indicate that, for some men, properly performed pelvic floor exercises can produce measurable improvement in erectile function.
Men considering this approach should focus on correct technique (see the Kegel guide) and seek medical evaluation for persistent ED, especially if cardiovascular or other risk factors are present.