Assessment of Kegel pelvic muscle exercise performance after brief verbal instruction

Article Abstract:

Kegel exercises are used to strengthen the muscles that support the vagina, bladder, and urethra, the tube extending from the bladder through which urine passes. These exercises are sometimes recommended to enhance the closing of the urethra to control incontinence; to improve function and tone of muscles following childbirth; and to enhance pleasure associated with sexual intercourse. However, despite verbal instruction, some women are unable to perform the Kegel exercises properly, possibly due to a lack of awareness of which muscles are being contracted. The correct performance of Kegel exercises can be checked by various methods. A bulb attached to a manometer, a device for measuring pressure, can be inserted into the vagina to measure changes in pressure accompanying muscle contraction and relaxation during the exercises. In addition, muscle contraction and relaxation are indicated by changes in the electrical activity of the muscle, or by the physical examination of muscle tone. Most patients are only given brief verbal or written instructions on how to perform Kegel exercises. The effect of brief verbal instruction on the performance of Kegel exercise was assessed in 47 women. The pressure within the urethra was measured at rest and during the exercises. A sufficient Kegel effort, indicated by a significant increase in the force with which the urethra closes, was observed in 23 women. However, 12 patients performed Kegel exercises in such a manner that would promote urinary incontinence. These findings suggest that simple verbal or written instructions to patients are insufficient for proper performance of Kegel pelvic muscle exercises. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Evaluation, Muscle contraction, Pelvis, Pelvic muscles

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Randomized prospective comparison of need colposuspension versus endopelvic fascia plication for potential stress incontinence prophylaxis in women undergoing vaginal reconstruction for stage III or IV pelvic organ prolapse

Article Abstract:

Surgery to support the bladder neck appears to be an important part of reconstructive pelvic prolapse surgery. Urinary continence tests performed before reconstructive pelvic prolapse surgery do not seem to accurately predict continence problems after surgery or the need for later surgery to correct incontinence. Thirty-two women had either two stitches to support the vagina or three to five stitches to support the bladder neck as part of reconstructive prolapse surgery. All patients had urinary continence tests before surgery. The women who had the vaginal stitches had more post-surgical complications.

Surgery, Urologic surgery, Bladder, Genitourinary organs, Urogenital surgery

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