Sexual Dysfunction and Exercise (DRAFT)

Sexual dysfunction often is multifactorial, with contributing etiologies ranging from cardiometabolic, neuronal, hormonal to psychological in origin. Whatever the origin, there is one very productive, often overlooked intervention for sexual dysfunction: exercise. Both female and male sexual dysfunction can be indicators of poor general health and may be linked to multiple conditions that respond exceptionally well to precise and tailored therapeutic exercises. Major contributing risk factors to sexual dysfunction include obesity, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, nerve damage, pharmaceutical side effects, cardiometabolic dysregulation, psychoemotional imbalance, menopause, pregnancy, and childbirth. A “go hard and rest hard” approach creates an intricate balance between high-intensity training and restorative exercise designed to address the underlying causes and risk factors of sexual dysfunction. This chapter discusses therapeutic exercise for sexual dysfunction and provides tailored exercises, detailed routines, and key practitioner-patient tools to provide a framework for a successful response to treat, reverse, and prevent sexual dysfunction.