What the Dorey study 2005 did for men — systematically proving that pelvic floor training measurably improves sexual function — the research group of Ferreira et al. (2015) achieved for women: a systematic review of 21 randomized studies showing that regular pelvic floor training has positive effects in every area of female sexual function examined.
And unlike many studies in female sexual health, these investigations use standardized, clinically validated measurement instruments — the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), an internationally recognized questionnaire with 19 questions covering six dimensions: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.
FSFI improvements after 8 weeks of pelvic floor training — averaged across the Rivalta study (2010) and three additional RCTs.
The Key Study: Rivalta et al. (2010)
Pelvic floor rehabilitation and female sexual dysfunction — Rivalta M. et al., 2010
Women with documented pelvic floor weakness were randomly assigned to a training group (pelvic floor exercises 2× daily, 5 days/week) or a control group. After 8 weeks: training group significantly improved FSFI total score (p < 0.001), control group showed no change. 71% of the training group reported more intense orgasms.
What Happens Anatomically During Orgasm?
Orgasms are not a mysterious experience — they are precisely measurable muscle contractions. The pelvic floor contracts rhythmically every 0.8 seconds, with the intensity of contraction directly correlating with the intensity of sensation. Trained pelvic floor muscles produce stronger and longer-lasting contraction sequences.
The Ferreira Meta-Analysis (2015): 21 Studies, One Finding
Ferreira CHJ et al. published in 2015 in Current Women's Health Reviews the most comprehensive review to date on pelvic floor training and female sexual function. They analyzed 21 studies with a total of over 1,400 participants and reached an unequivocal conclusion:
"In all 21 analyzed studies, pelvic floor training improved at least one dimension of female sexual function. The most common improvements were observed in orgasm intensity, sexual arousal, and genital sensitivity."
— Ferreira CHJ et al., Current Women's Health Reviews, 2015
Why Does Pelvic Floor Training Improve Sexual Function?
The mechanism is anatomically clear. The pelvic floor muscles directly surround the lower vagina, the clitoral shaft, and the G-zone region. During sexual arousal, surrounding erectile tissue fills with blood. A well-toned and coordinated pelvic floor:
- Amplifies vascular pressure in the clitoral and vaginal erectile tissue
- Produces stronger and more sustained orgasmic contractions
- Improves proprioceptive awareness of the genital region
- Enables voluntary control of the 0.8-second orgasm rhythm
- Reduces hypertonic tension that can impair sensation
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- Ferreira CHJ et al. (2015). Female sexual dysfunction: A systematic review of pelvic floor interventions. Current Women's Health Reviews, 11(1), 51–57.
- Rivalta M et al. (2010). Pelvic floor rehabilitation and female sexual dysfunction. International Urogynecology Journal, 21(9), 1059–1065.
- Kanter G et al. (2015). A strong pelvic floor is associated with higher rates of sexual activity in women with pelvic floor disorders. Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, 21(3), 148–151.