Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Weak pelvic floor muscles could be a major cause of urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction and uterine prolapse, according to the Mayo Clinic. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles first requires an understanding of the muscles involved. The muscles used to stop the flow of urine are the same muscles that you use during Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises do not need to be performed using a device, although a device may help you to improve pelvic floor functioning quicker.
Cones
Twenty years of research has proved cones to be effective at rehabilitating and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. Cones vary in strength from light to heavy and are held in place by contractions of the pubococcygeus muscles in the vagina. Lauri Romanzi, M.D., of the website Sexercise warns that cones may slide easily out of women with prolapse.
Biofeedback Devices
Biofeedback devices are electronic mechanisms that show you the amount of effort your muscles are using on a screen. Because biofeedback devices show you a visual account of your effort it can be a motivating factor for some women to continue with the exercises. Biofeedback devices are used in doctor's offices but smaller hand-held products can be bought for home use.
Pessaries
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pessaries are devices that are inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs and strengthen the vaginal muscles. Pessaries can also be used to treat urinary incontinence disorders, since they are useful at obstructing the leakage of urine from the urethra. Pessaries are frequently shaped like dishes or rings.
