Nurs Times. 2004 Mar 23-29;100(12):65-7. Related Articles,Links
Dorey G.
University of the West of England, Bristol.
Pelvic floor exercises as a treatment for men with erectile dysfunction.
Br J Nurs. 2000 Jun 22-Jul 12;9(12):755-62.
Conservative treatment of erectile dysfunction. 2: Clinical trials.
Dorey G.
Somerset Nuffield Hospital, Taunton and North Devon District Hospital NHS Trust, Barnstaple.
This is the second of a three-part paper addressing whether physiotherapy involving pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) is efficacious as a first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). The first part (Vol 9(11): 691-4) highlighted the prevalence of ED, associated risk factors, the anatomy of the penis and the physiology of erection. This part concentrates on the computer-aided and manual search for published clinical trials investigating the treatment and prevention of ED. The methodological quality of the trials was assessed using criteria based on generally accepted principles of interventional research. The literature search revealed 14 trials which met the broad inclusion criteria. Of these, eight trials used PFMEs with or without biofeedback or electrical stimulation.
Br J Nurs. 2000 Jul 13-26;9(13):859-63. Related Articles,Links
Conservative treatment of erectile dysfunction. 3: Literature review.
Dorey G.
Somerset Nuffield Hospital, Taunton.
This is the third of a three-part article addressing whether physiotherapy involving pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) is efficacious as a first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). The first part (Vol 9(11): 691-4) highlighted the prevalence of ED, associated risk factors, the anatomy of the penis and the physiology of erection. The second part (Vol 9(12): 755-62) concentrated on the published clinical trials investigating the treatment and prevention of ED. This part will critically analyse the literature. PFMEs using ischiocavernosus muscles (ICMs) and bulbocavernosus muscles (BCMs) seem to have merit as a treatment for ED due to mild or moderate venous leakage. Men suffering from ED due to other causes may also benefit. There is no strong evidence that electrical stimulation or electroacupuncture is effective or ineffective. No studies demonstrating preventive conservative treatments were found. There is evidence that the ICMs and BCMs increase penile rigidity in the tumescent penis, that pelvic floor muscle efficiency is higher in potent men than impotent men and that perineal muscle efficiency reduces with age in impotent men. There is limited evidence that pelvic floor exercises relieve ED due to venous leakage and are a realistic alternative to surgery. Randomized controlled trials are needed to explore the use of PFMEs as a first-line treatment for men with ED.
J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 1997 Sep;24(5):255-64. Related Articles,Links
Treatment of erectile dysfunction: can pelvic muscle exercises improve sexual function?
Ballard DJ.
Pelvic Muscle Rehabilitation Program, Utah Vencor Rehabilitation Center, Salt Lake City, USA.
Erectile dysfunction, the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance, affects 10 to 20 million American men. The underlying causes of erectile dysfunction are commonly classified as neurogenic, arteriogenic, venogenic, or psychogenic. The perineal muscles, specifically the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus, play a role in human penile erection. This article explores the role of pelvic muscle exercises, designed to strengthen the perineal muscles. In the treatment of erectile dysfunction secondary to venous leakage.
