Kegel exercises may be most effective when overseen by a qualified therapist.
Many people have heard of Kegel exercises, which are exercises used to strengthen or retrain the group of muscles, known as the pelvic floor, that support the bladder, bowel and uterus. But, while many people know the word, few people know exactly which types of Kegel exercises to do, how often to do them and when they are most useful. There are also times when people begin Kegel exercises to resolve a problem with their pelvic floor, but the exercises aren’t always helpful and can sometimes lead to unwanted outcomes.
“We see patients who have done Kegel exercises on their own, but many of them have done them incorrectly or done the wrong exercises for their issue,” says Rashmi Bandekar, PT, DPT, rehabilitation services manager at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Dr. Bandekar says Kegel exercises can be effective, but it is best to work with a physical therapist with experience in evaluating and treating pelvic floor disorders.
What are Kegel exercises?
Kegel exercises are typically used to treat urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and sexual dysfunction. One thing many don’t realize is that there are different ways to complete Kegel exercises, says Dr. Bandekar. Pelvic health specialists can help patients understand the different types of Kegel exercises that will help their condition and how to do them correctly.
Can Kegel exercises alone fix all problems related to the pelvic floor?
No. Kegel exercises are one tool to help people combat diagnoses such as urinary incontinence and bowel dysfunction. They are not the only exercise that therapists will prescribe. Dr. Bandekar says patients should also be seen by a doctor first, usually a primary care physician, gynecologist, gastroenterologist or urologist, because there may be other treatments that can help, such as medication, minimally invasive surgical procedures and behavioral modification.
Kegel exercises aren’t always the answer.
There are conditions that can be made worse by Kegel exercises. Dr. Bandekar notes that people with pelvic pain, pain during intercourse and people with constipation can make their condition worse by doing Kegel exercises. “Many people have diagnoses for which Kegel exercises are contraindicated or need to be modified,” she says. “A trained pelvic health physical therapist will be able to assess a patient to determine if Kegel exercises are appropriate.”
Likewise, she says that many people do Kegel exercises when they should actually do the opposite: learning to relax their pelvic floor. “Pelvic muscles are meant to contract, relax and lengthen to do things such as urinate and defecate,” says Dr. Bandekar. “Problems like constipation can occur if the pelvic muscles are too tight. Therefore, doing a lot of traditional Kegel exercises can be counterproductive.”
What about Kegel exercises for pregnant women?
While doing Kegel exercises can be helpful, women should be careful about doing too many. Overworking the pelvic floor can result in tight and stiff pelvic floor muscles. “I remind patients to be wary of doing too many because the pelvic floor muscles need to relax during delivery, and it is not helpful if they are too stiff,” says Dr. Bandekar.
Some women experience urinary incontinence after birth, and there is strong evidence that Kegel exercises can help those women.
Can Kegel exercises improve sexual function?
Kegel exercises are often discussed, particularly in pop culture, in the context of sexual function. Certain types of Kegels are more helpful than others. Kegels for men have been shown to help with erectile dysfunction, says Dr. Bandekar.
Author: Hope Hamashige