Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises can strengthen a woman's pelvic muscles and ligaments. These exercises can help prevent and treat urinary stress incontinence, the involuntary release of urine with increased abdominal pressure (such as from coughing or sneezing).
Kegel exercises involve:
- Squeezing the same muscles used during urination. These are the muscles that are involved in stopping urine midstream. The stomach and buttocks should not move with this flexing.
- Holding the squeeze for 3 seconds, then relaxing for 3 seconds.
- Repeating the exercise 10 to 15 times per session.
For best results, more than three sets of Kegel exercises should be done every day.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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