Andrew Siegel MD 12/23/17
Above photo of Hermes I took this past summer at Butchart Gardens, Victoria, Canada
In this entry, words will be kept to a minimum because the illustrations tell most of the story. The images of the superficial pelvic floor muscles (muscles of love) that follow derive from the 1918 edition of Gray’s Anatomy of the Human Body (public domain), modified by Uwe Gille.
Whether you are male or female, two vital muscles — bulbocavernosus (BC) and ischiocavernosus (IC) — have an intimate relationship with your genitals and are the “motor” that drives their function. Without them, your penis or vagina would be non-functional putty! Notice how remarkably similar the muscles are in both genders, the only difference being that the BC muscle is split in women, divided by the vagina.
Factoid: The relationship of the BC and IC muscles to the vagina and penis parallels the relationship between the diaphragm and the lungs. Without a functioning diaphragm to move the lungs, your lungs would be non-functional bags of air.
Male BC (top) and IC muscles (bottom)
- Transform “plump” penis to “rigid” penis by compressing erectile chambers (responsible for penile high blood pressure)
- Enables you to move your erect penis up and down at will
- Stabilizes erect penis so it stays rigid and skyward-angled
- Contract at climax and responsible for forcible expulsion of semen
Factoid: The only place in the body it is desirable to have high blood pressure is the penis. The BP at the time of full rigidity is > 200 mm, the 80-100 mm increase over systolic BP achieved by virtue of contraction of these muscles.
Female BC (top) and IC muscles (bottom)
- Increase pelvic blood flow during arousal, contributing to lubrication and plumping of vulva
- Transform clitoris from flaccid to erect
- Enables tightening vagina at will
- Contract at the time of climax contributing to physical sensation of orgasm
Factoid: Women capable of achieving “seismic” orgasms most often have very strong, toned, supple and flexible BC and IC muscles.
Bottom Line: In men, these muscles function as the “erector penis” and “ejaculator penis.” In women, these muscles function as the “erector clitoris,” “constrictor vagina,” and “climaxer maximus.” Whether you are female or male, optimize the function of these muscles by doing Kegel exercises and make sure you do them properly: Male Kegel Book; Female Kegel Book. To quote Sam Sneed, “Exercise puts brains in your muscles,” totally appropriate to these vital muscles that govern sexual function.
Wishing you the best of health, a merry Christmas and a wonderful 2018!
A new blog is posted weekly. To receive a free subscription with delivery to your email inbox visit the following link and click on “email subscription”: www.HealthDoc13.WordPress.com
Dr. Andrew Siegel is a physician and urological surgeon who is board-certified in urology as well as in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School and is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor New York Metro Area, Inside Jersey Top Doctor and Inside Jersey Top Doctor for Women’s Health. His mission is to “bridge the gap” between the public and the medical community.
Dr. Siegel has authored the following books that are available on Amazon, iBooks, Nook and Kobo:
MALE PELVIC FITNESS: Optimizing Sexual & Urinary Health
THE KEGEL FIX: Recharging Female Pelvic, Sexual and Urinary Health
PROMISCUOUS EATING: Understanding and Ending Our Self-Destructive Relationship with Food
These books are written for educated and discerning men and women who care about health, well-being, fitness and nutrition and enjoy feeling confident and strong.
Dr. Siegel is co-creator of the male pelvic floor exercise instructional DVD (the female version is in the works): PelvicRx
Tags: Andrew Siegel MD, Arnold Kegel MD, bulbocavernosus muscle, ischiocavernosus muscle, Kegels, love muscles, male pelvic fitness, pelvic floor muscles, penis, The Kegel Fix, vagina
Our Greatest Wealth Is Health 
Leave a Reply