Kegel exercises, practiced for at least three months, were found to be effective at stopping urinary incontinence and especially successful for stress incontinence. The study was carried out by Jean Hay-Smith, of the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in New Zealand, and was based on data from six previous controlled trials involving over 400 women. Researcher Hay-Smith compared the results from the previous trials and found that in the least successful trial, women who did the exercises were 2.5 times more likely to be cured, while women in another study were about 17 times more likely to be cured. She added that Kegel exercise programs were more effective if steps were taken to ensure that patients exercised the correct muscles and were given support in sticking with the exercises.
"It seems strange that we consult personal trainers, gym instructors and physical therapists about strengthening other muscles in the body, but few women have an assessment and individualized program for their pelvic floor muscles," Hay-Smith said.
Kegel exercises were developed some years ago by Dr. Arnold Kegel, but their effectiveness has been a controversial topic until now. The exercises consist of regularly contracting and relaxing the pubococcygeus muscles of the pelvic floor, which support the bladder. The exercises usually must be done regularly for several weeks before any improvement is seen. Some women may give up too quickly, before the exercises show any benefit, the study noted. In the United States, devices are available to assist with the correct execution of the exercises.
In New Zealand, Kegel exercises are part of the first line of treatment for urinary incontinence, Hay-Smith said. Patients are referred to physiotherapists or nurses trained in continence management, which may combine exercises with other forms of treatment. She stressed the importance doing the exercises correctly. "By the time I have been through a full clinical history and physical examination, taught a correct pelvic floor muscle contraction and tailored a program to my assessment findings, many women say they clearly haven't been doing [Kegels] in the past - they only thought they were," she concluded.
Source: Center for the Advancement of Health
