Disorders associated with the bulbocavernosus muscle dysfunction
While the bulbocavernosus muscle plays a crucial role in sexual function, dysfunction in this muscle can lead to various disorders, including the following:
- Urinary incontinence: When the bulbocavernosus muscle is weak or damaged, it can result in urinary incontinence, which is the involuntary leakage of urine. The muscle helps control the flow of urine and relaxes during urination to allow urine to pass. If the muscle is unable to contract properly, urine can escape from the bladder unexpectedly.
- Erectile dysfunction: The bulbocavernosus muscle is responsible for forcing blood into the penis during an erection and for maintaining it for sexual intercourse. If the muscle is weak or damaged, it can cause difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection. This can lead to a lower quality of life and emotional distress for individuals experiencing such a condition.
- Anal incontinence: Similarly to urinary incontinence, damage or weakness in the bulbocavernosus muscle can also result in anal incontinence. The muscle helps control the anal sphincter, which keeps feces inside the rectum. If the muscle is unable to contract properly, fecal matter can leak from the anus unexpectedly.
- Pain during intercourse: disorders like vaginismus, which is a condition characterized by involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles, can cause pain during sexual intercourse. The dysfunction of the bulbocavernosus can lead to a painful intercourse experience for females thereby inhibiting sexual arousal or even sexual desire.
- Prostatectomy: There is a high likelihood that men who suffer radical prostatectomy, could experience an erectile dysfunction which is caused by the trauma or injury to the bulbocavernosus muscle.
The dysfunction of the bulbocavernosus muscle in males and females can limit the quality of life and make daily activities difficult and uncomfortable, hence the need to stimulate the function tools like biofeedback has proven effective under the supervision of a certified biofeedback therapist.