Electric pelvic floor stimulation. Mechanism of action.

This canine study delineates two mechanisms of action for electric pelvic floor stimulation. The electric stimulation increases urethral resistance by activating the pelvic floor skeletal muscle. Direct pudendal nerve stimulation is the most effective method for applying the electric stimulus. The two electric devices presently employed clinically, the pelvic floor stimulator and the transrectal stimulator, are less effective methods for increasing pelvic floor skeletal muscle contraction. Electric stimulation also activates a pudendal-to-pelvic nerve reflex that depresses or eliminates uninhibited detrusor contractions.