Urogynecologic Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Laurence R. Sands, Dana R. Sands in Ambulatory Colorectal Surgery, 2008
Pelvic floor muscle or Kegel exercises are intended to improve the strength of the pelvic muscles thereby increasing support to the pelvic organs. Although it is unlikely that pelvic floor exercises will correct POP, they may be beneficial for adjunctive therapy for urinary or fecal incontinence (33). Patients may be trained in performing the exercises by squeezing the examiners fingers during pelvic examination. Patients are then instructed to carry out the exercises throughout the day in several sets of 10 repetitions, holding each for approximately five seconds. If the patient cannot identify the pelvic floor muscles adequately or has significant weakness, they may benefit from working with a pelvic floor physical therapist. Although pelvic floor exercises may provide some improvement in symptoms, adherence to the regimen is key in sustaining beneficial effects.
Sexual Health
Carolyn Torkelson, Catherine Marienau in Beyond Menopause, 2023
Pelvic floor physical therapy also includes Kegel exercises. “Kegels,” as they are commonly called, involve contracting and relaxing the muscles of your pelvic floor, which holds your uterus and bladder in place above your vagina. The key to doing Kegels is identifying the right muscles to contract and relax. If you can stop urinating mid-stream, you’ve identified the basic move. A couple of tips are to always try to do Kegels when your bladder is empty, and aim to hold your contractions for 2–3 seconds and then release. Once you have the hang of it, do five sets of ten repetitions every day. You can do these while performing routine tasks, such as driving or sitting at your desk. If you have trouble with the technique, ask your physician for a referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Genital hygiene
Miranda A. Farage, Howard I. Maibach in The Vulva, 2017
In Western Europe, the reported prevalence of stress incontinence ranges from 40% to 60%, urge incontinence ranges from 7% to 20%, and mixed stress and urge incontinence ranges from 20% to 50% (176–178). In North America and Western Europe, women cope with light incontinence in various ways. In a Swedish study of postmenopausal women, 4% of respondents (18% of stress incontinence sufferers) had urine loss sufficient to necessitate either the wearing of a sanitary napkin or changes in underwear several times a day (179). In general, to address this challenge, women use panty liners, menstrual pads, or pads designed for incontinence protection; some resort to frequent changes in underwear. Thirty percent reported some degree of vulvar irritation associated with their condition. Pelvic muscle exercises or Kegel exercises are conservative approaches to treating mild stress incontinence.
The prevalence of urinary incontinence in obese women and its effect on quality of life
Published in Health Care for Women International, 2022
Urinary incontinence affects the life standards and quality of women who have this problem, and obesity is among the most important risk factors (Balcı & Akcetin, 2009; Beji, 2003). In the present study, 88.1% (n = 119) of the women had urinary incontinence, 35.6% (n = 48) of those experienced it several times a day, and 23% (n = 31) had a large amount of urine incontinence. In addition, 11.1% (n = 15) of the women knew the Kegel exercise and 8.9% (n = 12) performed it. In the study conducted by Bilge (2016), 34.1% of the obese women had urinary incontinence, 40.4% had large amounts of it, and 18.8% urinated frequently. In the study conducted by Richter et al. (2005), the prevalence of urinary incontinence in obese women was 66.9%. In the study by Han et al. (2006), 50.5% of women with a BMI of 27 or above had urinary incontinence. In the study conducted by Nygaard et al. (2018), 20.3% of the obese women with urinary incontinence had experienced it several times a day and 6.3% had a large amount of it. In the study conducted by Ege et al. (2007), 14.9% of women with incontinence knew the Kegel exercise and 13.7% of them performed it. According to the research, most obese women have urinary incontinence. Our study is in parallel with other studies in the literature and we agree that obesity is an important risk factor for urinary incontinence.
The Effect of Body Practices and Physical Exercise on Sexual Function of Menopausal Women. A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Published in International Journal of Sexual Health, 2023
Danielly Yani Fausto, Julia Beatriz Bocchi Martins, Jéssica Amaro Moratelli, Alicia Garcia Lima, Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo Guimarães
A total of six studies that investigated sexual function were included in the meta-analysis. The M and SD were not reported in only one study and were not available after contacting the authors, in this case, this study was excluded from the analysis because it presented only the median value and interquartile ranges (Xi et al., 2017). All studies included a control group, so the meta-analysis presents the post-intervention results for both groups. Three studies included two intervention groups: (1) a—Kegel exercise and b—lubricating gel (Khosravi et al., 2022); (2) a—Kegel exercise and b—sex education (Nazarpour et al., 2017); and (3) a—yoga and b—aerobic exercise (Reed et al., 2014), thus all were considered. The results are shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Vaginal hyperlaxity syndrome: a new concept and challenge
Published in Gynecological Endocrinology, 2018
Doctor Arnold Kegel developed a series of exercises for his patients in the 1940 s as a method to control urinary incontinence. His article was published in 1948 [15]. Kegel created such exercises to control female urinary incontinence after delivery. Their main purpose is to strengthen pelvic muscles and improve the urethral or rectal sphincter’s function. The success of Kegel exercises relies on the adequate application of the technique and a strict observance of the exercise program. Today, the conclusion is that, according to some evidence, Kegel exercises may prevent urinary and fecal incontinence in prenatal and postnatal women [16].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Bladder
- Childbirth
- Levator Ani
- Muscle
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Muscle Tone
- Pelvic Floor
- Ejaculation
- Pregnancy
- Stress Incontinence