Struggling with venous leak? See our guide to the best exercises to combat your venous leak symptoms.
Last Updated: 12/13/2022
Venous leakage, also known as penile venous insufficiency and venogenic erectile dysfunction is the term used to describe vasculogenic impotence, which is a cause of erectile dysfunction in men. Erections need the presence of blood vessels working correctly to be maintained. When a guy is sexually aroused, the arteries in his penis stretch to enable blood to flow in, resulting in a hard erection. To maintain erection stiffness, blood must remain in the penis until the guy ejaculates.
Veins contract to confine the blood inside. (This is known as veno-occlusion.) When a guy climaxes or sexual excitement ceases, the veins dilate, and blood returns to the body.
Blood will "leak" back into the body if the veins do not tighten sufficiently, weakening the erection. Many men with erectile dysfunction can obtain a hard erection at first, but the strength progressively fades.
Much regarding venous leakage is still debated in the medical profession. Many facets of the illness, particularly its treatment options, remain divisive. The issue's prevalence is still relatively unknown. However, some sources suggest it to be a prevalent cause of erectile dysfunction. In younger men, a venous leak is a common cause of erectile dysfunction.
You'll lose blood if your veins can't remain in the penis during an erection. This is referred to as a venous leak. This may contribute to erectile dysfunction. Diabetes, Peyronie's disease (development of scar tissue in the penis that causes curved, painful erections), various neurological diseases, and even acute anxiety have all been related to it.
Many men with Venogenic Erectile Dysfunction have erections problems from a young age. A chronic soft erection insufficient for sexual intercourse, position-dependent erectile rigidity, difficulty achieving erections, difficulty maintaining erections without constant manual stimulation, loss of penile length and girth, and a soft glans of the penis during erection that is not fully engorged are all common complaints (also known as cold glans syndrome).
When diagnosing venous leaks, physicians frequently search for indications that point to an organic cause of erectile dysfunction rather than a psycho-osmotic explanation (In other words, guessing). Such suggestive signs include:
Persistent erectile dysfunction on all occasions when an erection is expected, including with and without a partner during masturbation
Loss of quality of morning erections
Loss of quality of spontaneous erections
Multi-treatment resistance to traditional erectile dysfunction medications such as sildenafil and cavernosal injection therapy
A doctor may do the following tests to identify venous leakage:
Ultrasound with Doppler This treatment employs sound waves to demonstrate how blood flows into and out of the penis.
Cavernosometry using dynamic infusion A doctor can use this test to detect the degree of venous leakage by measuring the pressure in the penis during an erection. Cavernosometry is used less commonly, generally in males who have had Doppler ultrasonography with no definitive result.
A doctor will also evaluate a man's general health and look for erectile dysfunction-related illnesses like vascular disease, diabetes, Peyronie's disease, and nerve problems.
There are many ways to treat venous leakage. While surgery is the most common method used, there are other things you can do to help prevent venous leakage.
Penile venous surgery is only suggested for young men who experience erectile dysfunction due to congenital or traumatic penile venous leaking. The surgery increases blood trapping in the penis, which improves a man's ability to acquire and keep an erection.
Endovascular treatment for venous leak embolization is less invasive and may be a safe alternative to surgical remedies.
Phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors block the breakdown of nitrous oxide. This molecule signals the arteries of the penis to open and allow blood to enter. These drugs, including sildenafil and tadalafil, are usually used as first-line treatment for venous leakage.
While exercise is not an ideal treatment for such a condition, there are some ways to exercise that can slowly lower venous leak, improve overall health for your body, maintain a better life, and aid in weight loss, especially in older men.
Exercise, in general, is a common practice for improving male sexual dysfunction. Lifestyle changes such as exercise are a highly effective way to lower blood pressure, prevent diabetes, and reduce cardiovascular disease, all related to erectile dysfunction and many other sexual disorders, and overall can improve your health and life.
Kegels are a popular and effective erectile dysfunction exercise to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. To combat erectile dysfunction, strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can help. Kegel exercises are the best approach to accomplish precisely that.
According to research conducted by the University of the West in the United Kingdom, pelvic exercises helped 40% of men with ED restore normal penile function.
Kegels work the bulbocavernosus muscle in males, which is vital to sexual health and helps improve erectile strength in many men. This muscle helps the penis to fill with blood, pump during ejaculation, and urinate. Targeting this muscle through exercise should result in more pleasurable erections and can help in improving erectile dysfunction.
Suppose you do kegel exercises every day to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. In that case, you will likely notice an improvement in your erectile dysfunction. One excellent benefit of kegel exercises is that you can perform them anywhere! In addition, kegel exercises can be done seated or standing, making it optimal to strengthen pelvic floor muscles at home, in your office, or almost anywhere.
Regular pilates workouts might also help battle erectile dysfunction. Try these Pilates exercises:
Knee fallouts are a simple addition to your kegel exercises. Begin by laying on the floor, knees bent, feet flat.
Slowly drop one knee sideways to the ground. Assume a neutral pelvic position with both feet on the floor.
Reposition your knee and do the same with the other. Complete five reps on each knee, working up to ten on each side.
Knee fallouts are a great low-impact exercise to help strengthen pelvic muscles.
Begin by reclining on the floor, knees bent, feet flat on the ground.
Engage the pelvic floor muscles and elevate one foot to a 45-degree angle. Hold for a few seconds.
Reset your foot and repeat on the opposite side. Supine foot raises are suitable for both leg muscles and pelvic muscles when trying to improve sexual dysfunction.
Begin on the floor with hands at your sides, knees bent, and feet flat.
Lift your buttocks and engage your pelvic floor muscles. Your entire body should be on your shoulders.
Tighten and grip your buttocks. Exhale and slowly return to the ground.
Repeat this four to five times, and for optimal results, up to ten times!
A 2014 study on physical activity and erectile function found that aerobic exercises can help battle ED, even as simple as joining a walking program. Exercises should take at least 40 minutes and be done consistently for six months to notice results. Aerobics exercises help improve overall health and improve blood vessels and circulation, reduce cardiovascular disease, provide many benefits to male sexual stimulation, and even improve sexual desire by elevating energy levels.
Try these aerobic exercises:
These exercises will not only help in treating erectile dysfunction but also reduce the risk factors connected with it. Aerobics may enhance your cardiovascular health, reduce obesity, and boost your activity levels, which are risk factors for developing erectile dysfunction.
Kegel exercises are also proven to help with urinary incontinence, treat ED, and reduce symptoms for most men for many health problems. They can also improve your sex life!
Walking is really useful. Other planned workouts can aid in treating venous leaks and the overall health of the veins. Before beginning or altering any fitness regimen, anybody with a cardiac issue should contact a doctor.
Leg exercises are practical since venous insufficiency frequently affects veins there. Exercises that target the muscles in your calves in particular because gravity exerts the most force there, requiring the veins to work harder to pump blood. Exercising your lower limb muscles helps your heart pump blood up through your legs. Exercise also helps to strengthen muscles, which improves circulation.
Lie down on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Inhale.
Exhale slowly, drawing in your lower abdominal muscles and squeezing the muscles surrounding the urethra as though trying to stop gas or pee.
Hold for 1–2 seconds before releasing everything. The pelvic floor muscles should relax and sink.
A variety of ailments and disorders can cause erectile dysfunction. Venous leak is one of the factors that might contribute to erection loss or weakness. This will result in a lack of sexual fulfillment for you and your spouse.
The good news is that venous leaks can be detected and treated. Suppose you have any signs of venous leakages, such as nerve issues or Peyronie's disease. In that case, you should be tested for this condition. This can help you avoid erectile dysfunction, which may have a detrimental impact on your lifestyle.
A vacuum constriction device (VCD, often known as a penis pump) assists a man in obtaining and maintaining an erection. A VCD is often used to treat medical reasons for erectile dysfunction. Still, it can also benefit men with anxiety-related ED. While a vacuum device can't treat erectile venous leakage, they are used in treating erectile dysfunction in general.
Alcohol is a common issue when treating ED. Some people, primarily younger men, use alcohol as part of their sex life, whether it is to lower inhibitions or even to prevent premature ejaculation. However, alcohol use is one of the major factors in cardiovascular health, essential for maintaining erections and male blood flow through the body.