Pelvic floor exercises for treating post-micturition dribble in men with erectile dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: The purpose of this trial was to compare the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle exercises and manometric biofeedback for post-micturition dribble (PMD) in men with erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Fifty-five men with erectile dysfunction (median age 59.2 years; range 22-78) were enrolled from a local urology clinic. Twenty-eight subjects were randomized to an intervention group and received pelvic floor muscle exercises including a strong post-void 'squeeze out' pelvic floor muscle contraction, biofeedback, and suggestions for lifestyle changes. Twenty-seven control subjects were solely advised on lifestyle changes. The PMD status, anal manometry, and digital anal muscle grade were assessed at baseline, 3, and 6 months. After 3 months, the control group received the intervention with pelvic floor muscle exercises and biofeedback. Both groups were followed for an additional 3 months of home exercises. An independent assessor who was blinded to the grouping assessed the PMD status of subjects at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Thirty-six (65.5%) of the 55 subjects reported PMD at baseline. At 3 months, there was significant reduction in PMD after intervention (p=0.001) compared to the control subjects (p=0.102). In both groups combined after 3 months of pelvic floor muscle exercises and 3 months of home exercises, 27 (75%) subjects became asymptomatic of PMD, 3 (8.3%) improved, 5 (13.9%) dropped out, and 1 (2.8%) subject still reported PMD. PMD was not correlated to age, erectile function, anal manometric pressure, or digital anal muscle grade. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor muscle exercises including a post-void 'squeeze out' pelvic floor muscle contraction are an effective treatment for post-micturition dribble in men with erectile dysfunction.