Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].

THE UTILITY OF THE CAPACITIES, ACQUIRED BY PELVIC EXERCISES CHAPTER VIII UTILITY IN COITION The control and range of pelvic movement attained by- definite exercise may be of the greatest use to women both in mating—or coition—and in motherhood. They may also be beneficial in avoiding or alleviating certain anomalies in the genital organs. We will first consider the advantages of pelvic elasticity and control in the coital act. Both the external muscle of the vaginal orifice (designated by the abbreviation C. C.) and the deeper internal Levator Vaginas (L. V.) will more or less appreciably constrict or embrace the male organ * in the process of insertion. And this intimate contact and definite pressure increases stimulus and sensation in both partners to a very high degree ; but it can hardly be exercised at all by women who have not specially cultivated the muscles of their pelvic floor. In those cases the peculiar intensification of pleasure which the perivaginal muscles afford is lost. Of course, there may be compensating circumstances : particular proficiency in technique, preliminary love-play and sexual and emotional excitement; and these may suffice for complete climax and relief. But the vaginal muscles afford the summit of joy if they are correctly used. And this for complex reasons. In most women—though not in all—there are several involun- tary (reflex) contractions of the vagina during the orgasm; but, if these muscles have never been cultivated or controlled (i.e., cc-ordinated) they remain slack and feeble and cannot act appreciably on the phallus. And the lack of vaginal * The term phallus is hereafter used for the male organ in erection, as in " Ideal Marriage " and " Fertility and Sterility in Marriage."'