Kegel Exercises: what they are and their benefits

If you have not heard of Kegel exercises, you will surely hear at least hearing the use of Chinese balls to strengthen the pelvic floor. Kegel exercises are a serie of actions developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel in the 1940s for patients with urinary incontinence. Yes, it was a man who created that women strengthen our vagina today.

Imagine, if it still seems taboo today, how it should be for women of the time. Over time, their benefit has evolved and has been proven not only for incontinence, but also for postpartum and improving sexual relations. So, Mr. Kegel didn’t know the mess he had just invented.

What are Kegel exercises

The exercises are based on contracting the pubococcygeal muscle (the one that goes from the pubic bone to the coccyx, on which our entire female organ rests).

To exercise this muscle, you must first detect it. Not all people find it easy to "contract at will" and tend to force their abdomen. Do you know that reflex act you do when you are urinating and you have to hold back your desire? Let's say that it is the way to detect it (not to put up with it on purpose, but to practice in the bathroom).

The way to do Kegel exercises is with some weights or the famous Chinese balls. Depending on the need (always remember to consult your doctor or specialist), different weights and sizes are used. By inserting these devices into the vagina, the vagina will try to retain them and force us to force our pelvic floor to keep them inside.

Ideally, practice this for about 15 minutes daily. The results can be noticed at 6-8 weeks. As you progress, you end up learning to notice when we have those muscles in tension or relaxed. And believe that this will give you a better life quality. It’s like if you don’t control whether you clench your fist or leave your hand open and suddenly you could. You would feel a brutal relaxation in the whole arm. Well, this will be the same but in our most intimate area and the center of our body.

Why I may need to exercise my pelvic floor

There are different situations that Kegel exercises may need to strengthen the pelvic area.

Pregnancy and postpartum: If we have already done pelvic exercises before pregnancy, we will have a strong area to support "the load". And, of course, doing them in the postpartum period will greatly help the recovery after giving up that whole area.

Incontinence: Urinary tract infections or aging lead to urine leakage. If the pelvic floor muscles are strong, we will be better able to avoid them, we will have more control.

Overweight and muscle disorders: These problems can affect the health of the pelvic floor. In the face of any health risk, you should always go to the appropriate specialist. Intimate zone exercises will always help you feel better because they tone the muscle, but in no way replace physical exercise or healing injury therapy.

Benefits for female sexual health

Being able to contract and relax the pelvic muscle is beneficial when it comes to intercourse. The action of penetration is easier (either a penis or a dildo) because they are better adapted to this "change." The vagina gets more flexibility and sensitivity in that contact. And what does this affect? Well, in that pleasure will increase, you will reach orgasms more easily and you will be very, very satisfied.These improvements will be noticeable especially in the long term. Keep in mind that toning the pelvic floor is like going to the gym, until after a while you don't really appreciate the structural benefits.

But once you have picked up the pace, we assure you that you will thank Mr. Kegel for this invention!