Gynecology Sexual health

Kegel exercise Wikipedia

A Kegel exercise, named after Arnold Kegel|Dr. Arnold Kegel, is one designed to strengthen the pubococcygeus muscles. The exercises consist of the regular clenching and unclenching of these muscles, which are sometimes called the "Kegel muscles" in reference to the exercise. The aim of Kegel exercises is to restore muscle tone and strength to the pubococcygeus muscles in order to prevent or reduce pelvic floor problems. Kegel exercises are said to be good for helping to prevent vaginal prolapse in women, and urinary incontinence in both men and women. Kegel exercises are also known as pelvic floor exercises, or simply Kegels.

Kegel muscles are key to sexual gratification. Often while having traditional sex (missionary position), a woman can enhance her experience by gripping her partner's penis better by flexing these delicate and pleasure-inducing muscles.

Factors such as pregnancy, childbirth and being overweight often result in the weakening of pelvic muscles. Kegel exercises are useful in regaining pelvic floor muscle strength in such cases. Regular Kegel exercise can also increase Sexual intercourse|sexual pleasure for females and their partners. After childbirth, practicing pelvic floor contractions during sexual intercourse with a male partner will allow the woman immediate feedback from her partner, who can tell her whether or not he can feel her muscles tightening around his penis. In this manner, a newly postpartum woman can retrain her pelvic floor muscles to their pre-pregnancy strength and tone.

Men can also use Kegel exercises to strengthen the Pubococcygeus|pubococcygeal muscle, which may allow them to achieve orgasm without ejaculation and perhaps reach multiple climaxes during sexual activity. In men this exercise lifts up the testicles, also strengthening the cremaster muscle as well as the anal sphincter.

The pubococcygeal muscles are those used to stop the flow of urine during urination, and they may be easily identified in this way. However, after the muscle has been identified, practicing Kegel exercises during urination is not recommended, as this could lead to a urinary tract infection.

Last Modified:   2005-12-19