Kegel exercises help make the muscles in your pelvic and vaginal area strong.  These pelvic floor muscles support the uterus, bladder and bowels which control bladder and bowel function.

The easiest way to identify your pelvic floor muscles are to pee and while doing so stop the flow of urine midstream and hold it.  Hold the contraction for 3 seconds then relax allowing the flow of urine to continue.  Repeat this a couple of times and you will have identified your Kegel muscles. Another way to identify your Kegel muscles is to insert your first two fingers in the vagina, squeeze you pelvic muscles as if you are holding urine.  You should feel your vagina tighten and your pelvic floor move upward.  Then relax your muscles and feel your pelvic floor return to the starting position.

Kegel excises are meant to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.  There are many reasons why you can weaken your pelvic floor muscles, from pregnancy and childbirth to aging and being overweight.  The effect of weakening the pelvic floor results in your pelvic organs dropping and creating a bulge into your vagina.  When this occurs it is called pelvic organ prolapse.  Symptoms from a prolapse range from an uncomfortable pelvic pressure to leakage of urine.  Kegel exercises can help delay or even prevent pelvic organ prolapse and other related symptoms.

If done correctly and repeatedly over time, you can avoid symptoms such as stress and urge incontinence caused by childbirth, aging and obesity.    Kegel exercises can also make sexual intercourse more enjoyable for you and your partner. You will notice a benefit to your pelvic floor strength in 8 to 12 weeks when done faithfully.