u/Embarrassed_Dare2392

Any other men out there think reciprocal muscle inhibition could be a key factor in decreased sexual function tied to pelvic floor dysfunction? i.e. tight levator ani is causing erection muscles to turn off, atrophy.

44M. Left-sided pelvic pain started about 3 years ago and sexual function decreased. My erections start out 85-90%, but when I start to move during intimacy they often drop to 60-70%. Labs are all perfect, cardio fit, and I’ve worked with a sex therapist on the psychological side.

I’ve made tons of progress in eliminating my pelvic pain, but my erections have not improved at the same rate. I’ve blamed this on still having tension down there. But after my left glute finally turned on when I rolled out and loosened my left thigh hip flexors, it dawned on me that maybe my erection muscles are inhibited by my remaining tight pelvic floor muscles.

I know in the end, I have to solve for why my pelvic floor is overcompensating, but looking at my sexual function issue from a perspective of reciprocal inhibition makes me want to approach it the same way I have with my other successes: loosen/stretch the tight inhibiting muscle while slowly strengthening the inhibited muscle.

In the past when I was still in pain, I avoided kegels because I felt they made things worse.

Now I plan to introduce some light “quick flick” kegels (10 reps, twice daily) to my daily routine as well as some 5s light contractions on my left IC/BC muscles (10 reps, 1-2 times daily), while still stretching my levator ani area, working on relaxation, breathing, etc.

Anyone else out there with a similar story where you solved for the pain, but still had to take a different approach to bring your sexual function back?

Looking for input from women here.

44M. During sex, I get stronger smells (vaginal and rectal) from my current girlfriend than any other girlfriend/relation in my past.

My girlfriend uses a plastic loofa on her vagina and bum, but only seems to do a superficial swipe over them. It seems like soaping your hand and washing the external genitalia/vulva folds would be a better clean. For the back side, I myself use the outside part of my palms to make sure I’m giving my bum a good cleaning.

Even after she’s fresh from the shower, I get rectal smells in positions like doggy style.

Am I wrong in thinking a light loofa swipe is not effective cleaning? Isn’t using a loofa on your rectum unsanitary (I don’t think she gets “in there”; I think she just swipes over her crack)? What’s the best way to bring up this topic? We have biweekly check ins where we discuss things. I’m nervous to bring this topic up.

I love my girlfriend and I’ll accept any smell she has, but part of me can’t help but think that she’s could be cleaning her intimate parts better. She was single for a long period before our relationship and part of me thinks she just hasn’t had a reason to realize her hygiene could be better.

I’m a 44yo male who has been healing from a hypertonic pelvic floor for 3 years. My pain has largely gone away (I’m at 0-1 most days) but the ED that started when my PFD has not resolved. I get a good erection (maybe 90%) at the start of intimacy, but it fades to about 60-70% when I engaged in movement with sex.

Has anyone had success working with a PT on resolving ED associated with pelvic floor dysfunction? Any tips, pointers, or important moments in your journey?

I have a good female PT who works on men and is open to discussing my ED, but I get a sense that she hasn’t had an opportunity to work with many men on this issue. I still have palpable internal tension and tenderness so my plan is to keep working with her and learning more about the muscles we’re working on and how they relate to erections.