Kegel exercise

A Kegel exercise, named after Dr Arnold Kegel, is one designed to exercise the pubococcygeal muscles, sometimes called the "Kegel muscles" in reference to the excercise. The aim is to restore muscle tone and strength to these muscles, thus preventing or reducing pelvic floor problems including urinary incontinence.

Life's events can weaken pelvic muscles. Pregnancy, childbirth, and being overweight can do it. Luckily, when these muscles get weak, you can help make them strong again.

Pelvic floor muscles are just like other muscles. Exercise can make them stronger. Women with bladder control problems can regain control through pelvic muscle exercises, also called Kegel exercises.

Although males do not usually suffer from incontinence because of weakened pelvic muscles, evidence shows that males can derive some functional benefits from these exercises as well.

External links

• NIDDK public domain guide to pelvic muscle exercises