Kegel muscles are hammock-shaped muscles found in both women and men along the pelvic floor. The Mayo Clinic explains that they support the uterus, bladder and bowel. Exercises can help prevent the muscle from weakening and were developed in 1948 by Dr. Arnold Kegel to help with incontinence in women after childbirth. To find your Kegel muscles, attempt to stop the flow of urine while using the bathroom.
Pregnancy
The American Pregnancy Association states that Kegel exercises can help prevent two common side effects of pregnancy. The first side effect is hemorrhoids, which are inflamed veins around the anus or lower rectum. The second is bladder leaks, which are common near the end of pregnancy.
Easier Childbirth
Women who practice Kegel exercises before and after pregnancy have found that childbirth is easier. The American Pregnancy Association explains that this is because strengthening Kegel muscles can help you develop the ability to control your muscles during labor and delivery.
Improving Incontinence
Kegel exercises are recommended by the National Institutes of Health for women with urinary stress incontinence, men who have urinary incontinence after prostate surgery and people who have fecal incontinence. Kegel exercise helps improve these conditions by preventing pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is defined as a weakened pelvic floor muscle that drops from its normal spot in your lower belly.
Menopause
When a woman goes through menopause, a common side effect is vaginal or uterine prolapse. The Mayo Clinic explains that this type of prolapse occurs when your pelvic organs descend and bulge into your vagina. Kegel exercises can help prevent and lessen the symptoms experienced by many menopausal women.
