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Addressing Pelvic floor problems with Kegel Exercise
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Home >> Blogs >> Addressing Pelvic floor problems with Kegel Exercise

Addressing Pelvic floor problems with Kegel Exercise


Pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum, among other organs in the pelvic region. However, many people, particularly women, suffer from pelvic floor issues at some point in their lives. Urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and diminished sexual satisfaction are all symptoms of these problems. Kegel exercises, fortunately, provide a simple and efficient technique to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and resolve these issues. In this blog, we will look at what Kegel exercises are, how they operate, the benefits they provide, and how to do them appropriately with the help of an expert urologist in Gurgaon.

Recognizing Pelvic Floor Issues
Pelvic floor disorders affect people of all ages and genders, but they are more common in women, particularly during and after pregnancy, and as they age. The following are some examples of frequent pelvic floor issues:

  • Urinary Incontinence: Urine leakage that occurs involuntarily during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising.
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse is a condition in which the pelvic organs, such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum, drop or bulge into the vagina due to weak pelvic floor muscles.
  • Reduced Sexual Satisfaction: Both men and women can experience decreased sensitivity during sexual activity as a result of weak pelvic floor muscles.


What Exactly Are Kegel Exercises?
Kegel exercises, named after Dr Arnold Kegel, who invented them in the late 1940s, are a series of pelvic floor muscle-strengthening exercises. The basic purpose of these exercises is to improve muscle tone and support the pelvic organs, hence alleviating pelvic floor issues.

How Does Kegel Exercise Work? 
The pelvic floor muscles are in charge of managing urine flow and supporting the pelvic organs. Weakness in these muscles can result in the previously described pelvic floor issues. Kegel exercises work on strengthening and resiliency of these specific muscles.

The Advantages of Kegel Exercises

  • Improved urine control: By improving bladder control, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help prevent and minimize urine incontinence.
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse Risk Reduction: Strong pelvic floor muscles can better maintain the pelvic organs, lowering the risk of pelvic organ prolapse.
  • Higher Sexual Function: By strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, both men and women can feel higher sexual satisfaction, leading to more sexual confidence.
  • Postpartum Recovery: Postpartum recovery is for women who have recently given birth. Kegel exercises can help to restore pelvic floor muscles that were compromised during pregnancy and childbirth.


Correctly Executing Kegel Exercises

Finding the Right Muscles:
It is crucial to determine the correct muscles to target before beginning Kegel exercises. One method is to interrupt the flow of urine midstream. The muscles employed for this are the same ones that must be activated during Kegel exercises.

It is crucial to highlight, however, that Kegel exercises should not be performed by regularly interrupting the flow of urine, since this might cause bladder difficulties and incomplete bladder emptying.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Performing Kegel Exercises:

  • Find a Comfortable Position: Sit, stand, or lie down in a position that is comfortable for you. Avoid tensing other portions of your body, such as your abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, by keeping your muscles relaxed.
  • Squeeze the Pelvic Floor Muscles: Squeeze the pelvic floor muscles you discovered before. Consider stopping the flow of urine or preventing the passage of flatus / Wind.
  • Hold the Contraction: Hold the contraction for 3 to 5 seconds while breathing normally. When performing Kegel exercise, it is crucial not to hold your breath.
  • Relax the Muscles: Slowly release the contraction and allow your muscles to completely relax.
  • Aim for 10-15 repetitions in a single session. Gradually increase the time of the contractions and the number of repetitions as you get more comfortable with the exercises.


Practice Kegel exercises at least three times per day, taking breaks between workouts.

Tips for Effective Kegel Exercises:

  • Be Patient: As with any fitness plan, it may take some time to see substantial results. Make Kegel exercises a part of your everyday regimen to ensure consistency.
  • Maintain proper technique by contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles without activating other muscle groups.
  • Avoid excessive or violent contractions, which might cause muscle fatigue or discomfort. As your muscles grow stronger, gradually increase the intensity.
  • Maintain pelvic floor muscle strength and prevent future problems by continuing to conduct Kegel exercises even after you observe benefits.


Conclusion
Pelvic floor disorders can have a substantial influence on one's quality of life, but the simple yet powerful Kegel exercise can help. It is feasible to address and even prevent these disorders with exercise. Individuals can improve their urine control, lower their risk of pelvic organ prolapse, and increase their sexual satisfaction by targeting and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. Remember to do Kegel exercises correctly, be patient with the outcomes, and include them in your regular routine to reap the benefits. Investing in your pelvic floor wellness is an investment in your overall health and confidence. To know more about the Kegel exercise, consult the best urologist in Gurgaon.

Dr. Sumit Sharma, Director and Head of the Department

Urology, Uro-Oncology, Andrology, Uro-Robotics

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