Kegel Pelvic Floor Strengthening Program
What are Kegel Contractions?
Kegel pelvic floor muscle exercises were originally described by an obstetrician named Dr. Arnold Kegel for the purpose of helping pregnant women improve the involuntary loss of urine under circumstances of sudden increases in their abdominal pressure (i.e. sneezing, coughing, running, or exercising). This type of loss of urinary control is called Urinary Stress Incontinence. The Kegel exercise is an isometric program designed to strengthen the internal pelvic muscle called the pubococcygeus muscle (the "P.C." muscle). This muscle forms the floor of the pelvis and surrounds the urethra, vagina, and anus, thereby, providing support for all the pelvic organs. It is the muscle used to stop urination, to prevent a bowel movement, or to tighten the vagina during intercourse.
The P.C. muscle contains two types of muscle fibers called "slow-twitch" muscle fibers (70%) and "fast-twitch" muscle fibers (30%). Both muscle fiber types should be exercised so as to improve the muscle's resting tone (slow-twitch) and its rapid reflex contraction (fast-twitch) during episodes of sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure (i.e., a cough or sneeze). The muscle can be felt by placing your fingers one to two inches inside your vagina, tightening your PC muscle, and feeling the squeeze.
Incorporate the one minute series of contractions(described on the opposite side) as a regular part of your normal voiding routine for the rest of your life. You will significantly improve the strength of your pelvic floor muscles and improve your bladder control and vaginal tightness. During a sudden cough or sneeze, the pelvic floor muscles will contract reflexly, thereby stabilizing the position of the bladder neck and decreasing the accidental loss of urine. Additionally, when you feel an urge to urinate and you contract your PC muscle, there is an immediate reflex stimulation sent to the bladder to relax and thereby suppress the inconvenient sense of urinary urgency. The stronger your PC muscle, the greater the stimulation for relief of the urge sensation.
How Do You Identify the P.C. Muscle?
Sit on the toilet and begin urinating. When your bladder is nearly empty, attempt to stop the flow of urine WITHOUT contracting your abdominal, buttocks, or inner thigh muscles. This will help you identify the correct muscle. [Contraction of the P.C. muscle is performed by "drawing in" the vaginal muscles and tightening the bladder and anal sphincters as if to stop urination or defecation.] Then relax and start urinating again. You may also directly feel the muscle vaginally as described above. When you can successfully start and stop urinating or feel the vaginal muscle contract, you are using your P.C. muscle. If you do not succeed initially, keep trying until you have identified the correct muscle, and then do the following exercises as described below.