Imagine being able to significantly improve your erectile function — without pills, without surgery, without side effects. That is precisely what researchers at the University of the West of England demonstrated in 2005: 40% improvement in erectile function through a simple 12-week pelvic floor exercise program. The study led by Grace Dorey is now considered a milestone in male pelvic floor research and changed how urologists and physiotherapists treat erectile problems.

What many men don't know: the pelvic floor is not just a women's issue. The muscle group between the pubic bone and coccyx is directly involved in erection, ejaculation, and urinary continence. Training these muscles deliberately can produce real, measurable improvements. This article explains what the Dorey Study actually showed, the mechanisms behind it, and how to implement the exact training protocol yourself.

What Is the Dorey Study 2005?

The formal citation is: "Pelvic floor exercises for erectile dysfunction", published by Grace Dorey and colleagues in the British Journal of General Practice (2005, 55(514): 218–223). It is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) — the gold standard of clinical research.

Study Design

The study enrolled 55 men aged 20 to 79, all with diagnosed erectile dysfunction. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: an intervention group that completed structured pelvic floor training, and a control group that received lifestyle counseling only. The observation period was 3 months (12 weeks), followed by a follow-up phase.

STUDY DESIGN — DOREY 2005 55 Men erectile dysfunction Random- ization Training Group 28 men — 12 wk kegel + lifestyle counseling Control Group 27 men lifestyle counseling only +40% Erection no change ↔ 12-week intervention period ↔

Fig. 1: Study design of the Dorey Study 2005 (simplified)

The pelvic floor exercises were guided by trained physiotherapists. Participants trained three times daily, received monthly follow-up appointments, and were assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) before and after the intervention. Additionally, penile pressure manometry and videourodynamic measurements were performed.

The Results in Detail

40%

of the training group regained normal erectile function after 12 weeks — compared to only 6% in the control group. The difference was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001).

Key Results After 3 Months

The results of the training group exceeded the researchers' expectations considerably. Beyond erection, further parameters improved:

RESULTS — TRAINING GROUP VS. CONTROL 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 40% 6% Normal Erection 35.5% Significant Improvement 75% Total Improvement Training Group Control Group

Key results: 40% normal erection restored, 35.5% significant improvement, 75% total measurable improvement. Control group: 6% / 0% / minimal.

Who Benefits Most — Target Groups

🩸
Vasculogenic ED
Venous leak is the primary mechanism — pelvic floor training directly improves veno-occlusion
🏥
Post-Prostatectomy
Training accelerates recovery of erection and continence after prostate surgery
💊
Medication Users
Combination with PDE-5 inhibitors improves results by 60% compared to medication alone
🎯
Mild–Moderate ED
Best results with mild to moderate ED — training alone can be sufficient

The Dorey Protocol — How to Implement It

The original Dorey protocol was developed and supervised by physiotherapists. The following is a home version based on published methodology, adapted for self-guided training.

Weeks 1–4 — Foundation

Muscle Identification and Base Activation

  • BC Kegel Slow: 3× daily, 10 repetitions × 5s hold, 10s rest
  • BC Kegel Fast: 3× daily, 10 maximal 1s contractions, 2s rest
  • Intensity: 60–70% maximum force
  • Position: Lying, then seated
  • Tip: Identify the muscle by briefly stopping urine flow
Weeks 5–8 — Progression

Maximum Strength and Coordination

  • BC Kegel Slow: 3× daily, 10 × 8s contraction, 8s rest
  • BC Kegel Fast: 3× daily, 15 maximal 1s contractions, 1s rest
  • IC Compression: 2× daily, 10 × 5s, 5s rest
  • Coordinated BC/IC: 2× daily, 10 × 2s maximal, 3s rest
  • Position: Seated and standing
Weeks 9–12 — Consolidation

Full Program and Long-Term Maintenance

  • BC Kegel Slow: 3× daily, 10 × 10s contraction, 6s rest
  • BC Kegel Fast: 3× daily, 20 maximal 1s contractions, 1s rest
  • Coordinated BC/IC: 3× daily, 15 × 2s maximal, 2s rest
  • Maintenance: 1–2× daily ongoing for sustained results
  • Self-assessment: Monthly check using IIEF scale

FAQ

Yes — the Dorey Study has been replicated and extended by multiple subsequent studies. The core finding (pelvic floor training significantly improves erectile function) has been consistently confirmed. More recent research has deepened the understanding of mechanisms and optimized protocols. The 2005 study remains the methodological gold standard for male pelvic floor research on ED.
The original study used physiotherapist guidance. For mild to moderate ED without complications, self-guided home training with the Dorey protocol is effective. A physiotherapist is recommended if: you're unsure whether you're activating the right muscles, you have post-surgical ED, or you've seen no improvement after 8 weeks of consistent self-training.
The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) is the clinical gold standard for measuring erectile function. It is a 15-item questionnaire covering 5 domains: erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. Total score ranges from 5 to 75. A score of ≥ 22 in the erectile function domain (max 30) is considered normal.

Sources

Start the Dorey Protocol

3D-animated pelvic floor training — guided and science-backed. Experience the same exercises that cured ED in 40% of men in the landmark study.

Start Training →