A meta-analysis of five trials found Kegel pelvic floor exercise, done for 4 to 12 weeks, improved urinary symptom related quality of life in postmenopausal women but not sexual symptom quality of life.
No difference foundMeta-analysis · 268 participants pooled · 2024PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
A systematic review of 11 studies in peri and postmenopausal women found pelvic floor and mind-body exercise programs most linked to improved sexual function, while aerobic exercise showed inconsistent results and resistance training showed no benefit.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2020Midlife womenCited 42 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 21 trials found pelvic floor muscle exercises in postmenopausal women improved quality of life, sexual function, urinary incontinence, and pelvic floor function, with no effect on psychological status.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
In 145 postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of Kegel exercises improved arousal, orgasm and satisfaction scores on a sexual function questionnaire compared with routine care.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 145 women · 12 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 26 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged 40 to 60 did pelvic floor muscle exercises for 12 weeks and reported higher arousal, orgasm and satisfaction scores than a control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 97 women · 12 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 27 timesPubMed
In an RCT of 77 postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of pelvic floor muscle training did not change sexual function scores but was linked to fewer women with sexual dysfunction versus controls.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 77 women · 12 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 26 timesPubMed
Women with urinary incontinence received electrical stimulation plus pelvic floor training or pelvic floor training alone; sexual function scores did not differ between groups.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 114 women · 2018Midlife womenCited 24 timesPubMed
117 climacteric women with stress incontinence received radiofrequency, pelvic floor muscle training, or both; urinary scores improved in all groups, most with combined treatment.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 117 women · 12 weeks · 2022Midlife womenCited 20 timesPubMed
Climacteric women aged 40 to 60 with dyspareunia had five sessions of pelvic floor muscle training, which reduced pain and improved quality of life and sexual function more than lower back therapy.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 42 women · 5 weeks · 2019Midlife womenCited 25 timesPubMed
Menopausal women did 12 weeks of Kegel exercise or used lubricant gel; both groups reported improved sexual function versus control, with Kegel exercise showing a higher odds of improvement than gel.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 150 women · 12 weeks · 2022Midlife womenCited 12 timesPubMed
A single session of pelvic floor muscle training in 103 postmenopausal women improved objectively measured vaginal lubrication compared with a no-intervention control group.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 103 women · 2026PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
In an 8-week trial in postmenopausal women, pelvic floor training plus active photobiomodulation improved sexual function scores more than training plus sham photobiomodulation; pelvic pressure did not differ significantly.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 8 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
A 12 week pelvic floor muscle training program in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause reduced symptoms and improved quality of life and sexual function.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 32 women · 12 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 38 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause did pelvic floor muscle training and showed improved vulvovaginal blood flow, muscle relaxation speed, and tissue elasticity.
Direction not statedBefore-and-after study · 29 women · 2020PostmenopausalCited 33 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women did a 3-month exercise and pelvic floor training program, which increased pelvic floor muscle strength and reduced anxiety but did not improve sexual function.
No difference foundBefore-and-after study · 32 women · 12 weeks · 2012Early postmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women with urinary incontinence did an 8-week combined pelvic muscle exercise and yoga program, reporting improved pelvic muscle strength and incontinence symptoms.
Direction not statedBefore-and-after study · 55 women · 8 weeks · 2015Midlife womenCited 17 timesPubMed
A trial protocol will compare pelvic floor muscle training alone versus combined with photobiomodulation in women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, over 16 sessions, with no results yet.
Direction not statedOther · 8 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
This protocol describes a planned trial comparing pelvic floor physiotherapy versus laser therapy for genitourinary symptoms in breast cancer survivors, with no results yet available.
Direction not statedOther · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed