This video is from the WebMD
Video Archive
You are in the WebMD Content Archive for WebMD Video.
WebMD archives all video content after 48 months to ensure our readers can easily find the most timely content.
To locate the most current information on this topic, please use our search box
Narrator:
We all know that exercise can tone our bodies and make them healthier…even more attractive. But did you know it can also improve your sex life?
Celia Dominguez, MD:
Increasing the muscle tone of the body, increasing blood flow of the body and increasing agility.
Agility is critically important for balance and for being able to position oneself appropriately in sex and feeling comfortable when one is in sexual positions.
Narrator:
Start with a cardiovascular program to get your heart in shape and improve blood flow to the genitals.
Next, add pelvic exercises that will improve partner satisfaction. The good news is that they'll also improve your health.
For women, pregnancy, childbirth, and aging can weaken the pelvic muscles, which are crucial to bladder control.
That's the area that stretches from the pubic bones in the front to your "sit bones" in the back. Strengthening those muscles can be done with an exercise called a "Kegel".
Celia Dominguez, MD:
The description of a Kegel for a female is to attempt to hold your urine.
And the act of holding your urine increases that muscle tone, improves the circulation and again is not only helpful for vaginal intercourse,
but for decreasing the chance of later on having some urinary incontinence.
Narrator:
If you're not sure you're doing a Kegel correctly, and many women don't…see your doctor about an interesting tool that can help you isolate the proper muscles.
Celia Dominguez, MD:
These are vaginal weights and they are very helpful in teaching a female how to use her vaginal muscles.
They are placed in the vagina and then what the female is supposed to do is hold it in and not allow it to fall out.
Narrator:
Believe it or not, men can benefit from Kegels too. In a study of 55 men with erectile dysfunction, 75% improved or regained normal performance by doing Kegels each day.
The good news is that you can do Kegels anywhere-- in the car, at work, or while watching TV. Or you can incorporate Kegels into many standard exercises, like abdominal crunchs or stretches.
To see results, you'll need to do Kegels several times a day for 8-12 weeks.
One caution: working up a sweat for better sex will only help if you're on top of any health issues, like diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.
For men, these conditions are highly linked to erectile dysfunction. Both sexes should eat a healthy, low-fat diet to keep arteries clear and weight down.
Check medications for sexual side effects…especially those for anxiety and depression. Get proper sleep, and whatever you do, don't smoke.
For WebMD, I'm Sandee LaMotte.
