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Doing Kegel exercises? Here’s how to tell if you’re doing them correctly

From CNA · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Explainer Named sources Context piece
  • Kegel exercises can strengthen pelvic-floor muscles and help prevent urine leakage, but women should perform them correctly because some have overactive pelvic floors.
  • Doctors explain that pelvic-floor weakness can affect any woman and may result from pregnancy, childbirth, excess body weight or high-impact activities.
  • The muscles support the womb, bladder and rectum and help control urination, bowel movements and sexual function.

Kegel exercises may help women strengthen the pelvic floor and prevent urine leaks, but they are not suitable for everyone. Doctors say the exercises must be done correctly, because pelvic-floor muscles should be supportive without becoming tight or overactive.

The pelvic floor is a sheet of muscle and connective tissue beneath the pelvis. It supports the womb, bladder and rectum, helps control urination, passing wind and bowel movements, and plays a role in sexual function.

Kegel exercises are simple muscle-tightening movements.

· Dr Harvard LinThe obstetrician and gynaecologist explained what Kegel exercises involve.

Dr Harvard Lin said pelvic-floor weakness can affect any woman, including those who have never given birth or had sexual intercourse. Dr Aswini Balachandran said possible causes include pregnancy and childbirth, a body mass index above 25, and high-impact activities such as gymnastics, weightlifting and running, which can place repeated pressure on the muscles. About 15 percent of women in Singapore have stress urinary incontinence, according to SingHealth.

The pelvic floor is a set of muscles subject to the same wear, tear, strain and hormonal shift as any other part of the body.

· Dr Harvard LinHe explained why pelvic-floor weakness can affect women regardless of childbirth or sexual activity.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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