Kegels and Erectile Function
What the Trials Found
The best-known trial in this area, led by physiotherapist Grace Dorey and colleagues, randomly assigned men with erectile dysfunction to either pelvic floor exercises with biofeedback and lifestyle advice, or to lifestyle advice alone. Men in the exercise group showed significantly greater improvement in standardized erectile function scores than the control group.
A broader 2019 systematic review by Myers and Smith pooled the available published studies on pelvic floor muscle training for ED. Across those studies, roughly 35–47% of men achieved a "cure" (return to normal erectile function), and a further 28–40% reported partial improvement. The review's authors concluded that pelvic floor training appears effective, though no single optimal training protocol has been established.
Why Pelvic Floor Muscles Matter for Erections
Two pelvic floor muscles in particular — the bulbocavernosus and ischiocavernosus — help maintain penile rigidity by compressing veins that would otherwise let blood drain out of the erect penis. Weak or poorly coordinated contraction of these muscles is thought to be one contributing factor in some cases of ED, particularly where venous leakage (blood draining out too quickly) plays a role.
Who Is Most Likely to Benefit
- Men whose ED has a vascular or muscular component, rather than ED caused primarily by hormonal, neurological, or severe cardiovascular disease.
- Men who can learn to correctly identify and contract their pelvic floor muscles — a real barrier, since many people work the wrong muscles at first (see the technique guide below).
- Men willing to commit to a structured program for several weeks to months, since trial protocols typically ran 3 months or longer before assessing results.
Pelvic floor training is not a substitute for medical evaluation of ED, especially given that ED can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease. It's reasonable to consider as a conservative, low-risk option alongside — not instead of — a proper diagnostic workup.
How to Do It
The technique is the same as the general male Kegel exercise described in the full guide: identify the correct muscles, contract and hold, then fully relax, without recruiting the abdomen, buttocks, or thighs. See the complete Kegel guide for step-by-step instructions and a sample beginner program, and this guide if you're having trouble locating the right muscles.
Realistic Expectations
Trial timelines suggest it takes weeks, not days, to see change, and results vary by individual. This is a legitimate, evidence-supported option for improving erectile function — not a guaranteed fix, and not something that will increase penis size.
Bottom Line
Among conservative, non-drug approaches to ED, pelvic floor exercises have some of the better clinical trial support available. Correct technique and consistency matter, and persistent or severe ED still warrants a medical evaluation.
Sources
- Dorey et al. – Pelvic Floor Exercises for Erectile Dysfunction (research summary)
- Myers & Smith (2019) – Systematic Review of PFMT for ED and PE (research summary)