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Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises for urinary incontinence in women
Exercises that strengthen the pelvic muscles involved in urination are used to treat both stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises are done as follows:
- Identify the pelvic floor muscles involved by purposely stopping the flow of urine in midstream and then allowing the urine to flow again, or by trying to prevent passing gas. These are the muscles that squeeze the urethra and anus.
- Remembering what it felt like to control these muscles during urination or in trying to prevent passing gas, try to contract them without urinating. If your stomach muscles tighten, your pelvic muscles are not being exercised correctly.
- Tighten your pelvic muscles for 3 seconds and then relax them for 3 seconds.
- Repeat the Kegel exercises 10 to 15 times each session, and do at least 3 sessions a day.
Kegel exercises can be performed while traveling, at work, or at random moments during the day. No one will be aware that you are doing the exercises, so you can repeat them frequently.
Kegel exercises are often combined with biofeedback techniques to teach the proper exercise methods and to maintain exercise effectiveness. Biofeedback allows you to see, feel, or hear when an exercise is being performed correctly. This can be done by placing a finger in your vagina or anus to feel it contract when the pelvic muscles are exercised.
More elaborate devices can also be used that measure the pressure of the bladder and abdominal muscles or provide a measurement of the pressure within the vagina.
Another exercise technique involves using a weighted cone that is inserted into the vagina. You must contract the pelvic muscles to prevent the cone from dropping out of the vagina. A set of cones identical in size and shape but of increasing weight are provided. As treatment progresses, heavier cones are used that require stronger contractions to keep them in place.
What To Expect After Treatment
Kegel exercises can be done throughout your life.
Why It Is Done
Kegel exercises may be used to treat stress incontinence or urge incontinence.
How Well It Works
Kegel exercises improve or cure stress urinary incontinence in nearly 70% of those who use them. 1
Risks
Kegel exercises do not pose any risks to a woman's health.
What To Think About
Kegel exercises require a high level of motivation and frequent repetition to be successful.
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Citations
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
ENABLEX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:
- · having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away (also called "urgency")
- · leaks or wetting accidents (also called "urinary incontinence")
- · having to go to the bathroom too often (also called "urinary frequency")
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
You should not take once-daily ENABLEX if you have certain types of stomach problems, glaucoma, or have trouble emptying your bladder. Side effects of ENBLEX include blurred vision, and more commonly dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Use caution when doing certain activities until you know how ENBALEX affects you.
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
