Pelvic floor exercise, also known as Kegel exercise, is a popular topic, but the understanding of its impact on intimate health is not fully known to many women. To shed light on this, we have enlisted the help of Rachel Gelman, a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, to answer some common questions about the pelvic floor and Kegel exercises.
In a recent survey involving 5,083 women aged 18-45 across the UK, USA, France, Spain, and Italy, INTIMINA found that 58% of women experience stress incontinence, while 43% reported experiencing painful sex, unaware that this could be a symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction.
Understanding Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises, if performed correctly, can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Now, with the advent of smart devices like the recently launched KegelSmart 2, women can easily incorporate Kegels into their daily routine. KegelSmart contains sensors that register pelvic strength, automatically setting tailored exercise levels. The simple 5-minute vibration-guided program has been found to double the average pelvic floor strength after 12 weeks, with 90% of women reporting improved bladder control and 94% reporting improved vaginal tightness and tone.
Pelvic floor physical therapist Rachel Gelman emphasizes the need for education about the pelvic floor muscles, as most people only become aware of them when they experience symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, constipation, or pain during sex.
Seeking Professional Help
For proper diagnosis and treatment, it is advised to consult with a pelvic floor therapist to address individual symptoms. This is essential, as tense or overactive muscles can lead to symptoms like pain during intercourse and bladder leaks.
Consideration of Treatment Options
Research and experts suggest that vibratory stimulation can improve pelvic floor muscle strength and treat conditions such as vulvodynia and incontinence. However, seeking an in-person examination before starting any pelvic floor exercises, and using devices like KegelSmart, is recommended.
In conclusion, seeking advice from a medical professional regarding pelvic floor dysfunction and potential treatment options is crucial. Talking about these concerns is not taboo and should not deter anyone from living a healthy and fulfilled life.
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KegelSmart 2 Pelvic Floor Trainer