Whether you first heard about kegels, or pelvic muscle exercises (PMEs), when reading an issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine or when you were looking for help with a bladder control problem, you probably know that you should be doing kegel exercises faithfully. We at NAFC are huge proponents of PMEs and encourage those we come into contact with to do them and to do them correctly. Many times the women who call us say they do their kegels regularly but later in the conversation admit that they don’t know if they do them right or not. To get the most out of doing PMEs, you should be sure you are doing them correctly.
One way to learn how to do your kegels correctly is to go see a physical therapist or nurse specialist for a biofeedback session. Biofeedback is a method for providing individuals with information about their body, in this case about the pelvic floor muscles. Sensors are placed near the pelvic floor. Either sensors are inserted into the vagina or surface electrodes are placed on the skin. These sensors are connected to a computer which changes the electrical activity of your muscles are changed into a signal that can be seen on the computer screen. Your muscles give feedback to the biofeedback therapist who can then coach you to properly use those pelvic floor muscles.
Another method of getting the most out of kegels is to try pelvic floor stimulation (PFS). PFS is the controlled delivery of small amounts of stimulation to the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor and bladder. The stimulation is generated through a tampon-like sensor that is placed in the vagina or rectum or by surface electrodes that are placed around the anus. The sensor, or electrode, is attached by a cable to a small battery operated device or a larger clinical device in a doctor or therapist’s office. Sometimes pelvic floor stimulation is called electrical stimulation or E-Stim. PFS will help build up your pelvic floor tone. You may want to consider PFS if you are unable to contract your pelvic floor muscles or are having difficulty doing your kegels.
If you want to get the most out of doing PMEs, talk to your doctor about these two options. Remember, it can take 6-8 weeks before you notice a difference in your pelvic muscle tone, so be patient!
Have you tried biofeedback or pelvic floor stimulation? If so, what was your experience? Did biofeedback or PFS help you with doing your kegels? If you haven’t done them before, would you try either option?
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