High heels might have been invented by a woman who had been kissed on the forehead, as poet Christopher Morley High said.
But it so happens that stilettos can also improve one’s sex life.At least that is what Italian urologist Dr.Maria Cerruto would like us to believe.
In a letter to European Urology, Dr.Cerruto of the University of Verona in Italy, outlined her research. Her study of 66 women under 50, who held their foot at a 15 degree angle to the ground - the equivalent of a two inch heel, had as good a posture as those who wore flats. The use of stilettos also showed less electrical activity in their pelvic muscles.
She argues that as the pelvic floor muscles are an essential component of the female body, wearing heels can assist sexual performance and give satisfaction, besides providing vital support to the pelvic organs, including the bladder, bowels and uterus.
Her study's premise is that for women having difficulty exercising their pelvic zone, wearing spike heels is the easy solution. "Like many women, I like high-heeled shoes," she says. "It's good to know they have potential health benefits."
She admits there are problems nevertheless. She admits, high heels weaken a person's health after pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.
But confident in her findings, she says there are exercises by which one can strengthen one's muscles and eliminate these 'minor' ill-effects of high heels.
She said: "As a woman who loves high-heeled shoes, I tried to find something healthy in them. I achieved my goal. Heels affect pelvic floor activity, reducing pain and improving your health."
But on the other side of the coin, you have a study carried out in January 2008, by the fashion magazine Papierdoll in direct contradiction to her Dr Cerruto's claims. As many as 82 per cent of Papierdoll's respondents reported foot pain and another 72 per cent confessed to foot conditions, including ingrown toenails, fungal infections, calluses, bunions, corns, fallen arches and nerve injuries, that have occurred as a result of wearing high heels.
The immediate injuries are twisted, sprained and, at times, broken ankles from falling off balance and knee pain. Doctors have also said repeatedly that wanting to look an extra inch taller and donning stilettos can exacerbate the condition of osteoarthritis.
Gill Brook, a women's health physiotherapist in Bradford, UK was quick to point out that the study did not suggest that stilettos were a good thing for those keen on improving their pelvic floor function.
"But for women who like a slightly higher heel, these are reassuring findings - although we haven't yet done away with the need for regular exercises to maintain what is such an important part of the female body."
Source-Medindia
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