Pelvic floor muscle exercises may improve female sexual function

Abstract

The pelvic floor muscles attach from the pubic bone anteriorly, to the coccyx posteriorly and form a bowl-like structure, along with ligaments and fascial tissue. The main functions of the pelvic floor are to provide support of the pelvic organs and prevent incontinence by promoting voluntary closure of the urethral and anal sphincters. Adequate pelvic floor muscle function is a necessary component of bowel and bladder control [1]. Recent studies indicate that the pelvic floor of the female have some impact on sexual function, which involved in arousal and orgasm. Dr. Arnold Kegel had identified pelvic floor muscle weakness in women as a source of sexual dysfunction in 1952. From then on, pelvic floor hypotonus has been purported to impact negatively on sexual activity. The strong pelvic floor muscles in women, particularly the ischiocavernous muscle that attaches to the clitoral hood, were crucial for adequate genital arousal and attainment of orgasm [2]; however, the weak or de-conditioned muscles may provide insufficient activity necessary for vaginal friction or blood flow, and inhibit orgasmic potential [3]. At a more speculative, theoretical level, the idea that chronic muscle blocks (or excessive muscle flaccidity) impair sexual function by impairing feeling, sexual motility (and perhaps being a tangible representation of corresponding psychological blocks), and the discharge of sexual tension has its roots [4]. Therefore, female sexual pleasure is enhanced for both partners by genital responses provided by contraction of the levator ani, consisting of the pubococcygeous and iliococcygeus muscles during sexual activity [5]. It is reasonable to hypothesize that pelvic floor muscle strengthening should improve female sexual function and the pelvic floor muscle exercise is essential to the treatment of female sexual dysfunctions. In view of the above hypothesis, we can perform the following exercises program. (i) Increase awareness and proprioception of the musculature of the pelvic floor,