Kegel Pelvic Exercise

Overview

Kegels are a type of exercise that is usually associated with pregnancy. They were created as a means of strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor. While preventing urinary incontinence is the primary purpose of the kegel exercise, this "inner fitness" method has also been linked to improved sexual satisfaction.

The History of Kegels

In the 1940s, a gynecologist named Dr. Arnold Kegel designed a series of exercises to strengthen the pubococcygeus (PC) muscle, which is responsible for urinary control, to help new mothers address problems with postpartum urinary incontinence.

Effects

The increased "internal grip strength" gained from Kegel exercises had some serendipitous side effects. Rumors of improved sexual satisfaction through Kegel exercise practice inspired the medical community to research the subject. In fact, a study presented at the American Urogynecologic Society's 30th annual meeting provided proof of the Kegel's efficiency in this area.

Dr. Lior Lowenstein, MD, of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Haifa, Israel, studied a group of 176 women. He evaluated their pelvic muscle strength, and asked them to fill out his Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire, which evaluated various aspects of sexual satisfaction, including arousal and orgasm. The researchers found that the women who were able to contract their pelvic floor muscles for the longest period of time scored higher in the orgasmic satisfaction section.

Internal Geography

The PC muscle is found in both men and women. It originates in the pubic bone and inserts at the coccyx or tailbone. It is often referred to as the pelvic floor. Because of its hammock-like shape, childbirth and prenatal exercise instructors often use the image of "drawing up a hammock" when describing ways to perform the Kegel exercise.

Functions

The pubococcygeus muscle is designed to control urinary and fecal continence, while providing deep support to the pelvic area. It also contracts during orgasm. To learn to do Kegel exercises, both men and women are sometimes told to stop their urine flow, or imagine they are stopping their urine flow. Women are told to insert a finger in their vagina and contract their pelvic floor muscles around it. Of course, practicing with a partner and having said partner give feedback about the strength of the contraction is an obvious option.

Warnings

The Mayo Clinic warns that stopping the urine flow should not be performed with a full bladder. It may lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder, which may eventually cause urinary tract infections.

Theories/Speculation

The pelvic floor is considered a core muscle. As such, fitness experts such as Paul Chek, who refers to the area as the "inner unit," believe that it plays an important role in dynamic balance, stability and lower back support. These instructors may often incorporate Kegel exercise into their Pilates and other types of fitness training classes.