Do Kegel Exercises Prevent Urinary Incontinence?
Kegel exercises have long been touted as an effective way to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and control bladder leaks. For those who suffer from stress urinary incontinence, however, a more permanent solution such as vaginoplasty, or vaginal tightening, may be recommended, says Los Angeles OB/GYN Dr. David Ghozland.
For those who want to try Kegels prior to seeking medical help, the good news is the exercises are easy to do and require no special equipment! To do Kegels, simply clench the internal muscles you use to stop urine flow. Hold and release in 10 second intervals and attempt between three and four daily sets. Results are not instant of course; strengthening any muscle takes time but within six weeks you should see improvement.
While no special equipment is required for Kegels, your doctor might recommend additional methods to speed your progress, including:
- A weighted insert
- Biofeedback monitoring system
- Electrical muscle stimulation
If, after several months the Kegels do not produce the results you want, you should speak with your OB/GYN about vaginal tightening through vaginoplasty. In Los Angeles, Dr. Ghozland specializes in minimally invasive treatments for women that improve troubling concerns like stress urinary incontinence. Dr. Ghozland performs vaginal tightening using a fractional CO2 laser, an intravaginal device that specifically targets the area of the vagina that results in vaginal tightening and leads to enhanced bladder support. The benefits of this non-surgical, FDA-approved, 10-minute treatments include:
- Zero downtime
- No need for pain medications
- Anesthesia not required
- Almost zero complication risk
- Excellent outcomes
If you suffer stress urinary incontinence, you may feel very alone. The truth is, stress urinary incontinence is the most prevalent form of incontinence affecting an estimated 15 million adult women in the United States alone. Whether you chose Kegel exercises or are in need of non-surgical intervention such as vaginoplasty vaginal tightening, rest assure there is help available to put you on the path to renewed health and self confidence.