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Do kegels REALLY work?

Posted , 5 users are following.

kathyc85
kathyc85

Hello ladies, you have all been so helpful to me by replying to other posts I have submitted, so I need some comments to help me with this one. I had an anterior repair at the beginning of August and recovery has been good...( much better before my return to work than after, I feel) I have been doing kegels as instructed, but this last week I have been off work with the most terrible cough which has lasted so far for nearly 4 days, and makes me sound like a 40 a day smoker, although I have never in my life smoked! Already it feels as though I may have done some damage , but having said that, some days it is more noticeable than others. I have come to the conclusion that I must have a weak pelvic floor as years before I had surgery, I was seeing the physio, who after I had been using the Pelvic Toner for a while told me that my pelvic floor had improved, and to keep up the good work, then told me I didn't need to see her any more.

I seem able to get to a certain level, but then I don't seem able to improve any more, and still have episodes of really needing a wee urgently. I had a TVT about 11 years ago, which made the feelings of urgency worse, and although I have never actually had an accident, it's always on my mind,, especially when out and about and don't know where the nearest loo is. I would like to know if anyone has actually had success with the Kegel8 or Neurotrac Pelvitone or similar machines. I can't afford to buy one and find it doesn't make any difference, but on the other hand, I feel I need to try some other method as I constantly worry about becoming incontinent in old age sad   Help please, if anyone has any advice

Kathy

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Carolannfud
    Carolannfud kathyc85

    Posted

    Hi Kathy, I am interested to see people's response to this question as it is one I have been pondering myself. I had my repair 3 weeks ago and it's hard for me to tell just yet how I'm going! I've done pelvic floor exercises for years but feel I am 'weak' in that area. I was also told by the gym instructor that you can overdo the PF exercises by pulling up too high. It's meant to be a small movement as I understand it. Have looked at those machines and wondering if they're worth the money or not. I have my first checkup with gynae in 2 days time and don't know if she'll be recommending physio or not. I have noticed since op I don't have the same sens of urgency I had before op. I used to carry a spare pair of knickers around just in case and there were times I needed them! 
    • kathyc85
      kathyc85 Carolannfud

      Posted

      Hi Carolann, firstly, I hope you're recovering well and all goes to plan.

      It's comforting to hear from someone who can sympathise with my predicament. I was beginning to think I must have a strange and unique anatomy which is otherwise unheard of by medical science!! Intereting to hear your comment from the gym instructor, I don't think I was ever told not to pull up too high, from what I can remember, I was always told to 'pull up as hard as you can, then try and pull up just a little bit more'. I wonder if that has been having a negative effect, and perhaps different techniques work for different people? After all, we're all different in the way we respond to almost anything, both physically and mentally.

      The thing about the electronic excerciser I feel, is that it should work the muscles to their optimum performance, so there should not be any room for mistakes, but I am still not ready to part with my money just yet.

      I also think mine could be a hereditary thing, as I can always remember my mum saying she always took a spare pair whenever she went out for the day somewhere, 'just in case' but it was never really discussed any more than that, and it never crossed my mind, as a child, to ask. I can't imagine she would have ever gone to see her GP about that sort of thing either, but would have probably just got on with life and accepted it. After she died, both myself and my sister had TVT surgery within a month of each other, and neither of us knew until my sister rang and told me she was going into hospital for hers. Mine was already arranged by then. I hope someone will be able to help with a recommendation, but in the end, I suppose it will be up to us to make a decision as to whether we go for it or not!

       Best wishes, and take care with your recovery, K

    • kathyc85
      kathyc85 Carolannfud

      Posted

      Carolann, I have just had a thought, when you go for your checkup, and if you're feeling brave enough, maybe you could ask what their opinion is of the electronic exercisers as I have since read that  some hospital physio departments use the very same machines and loan them out for PF strengthening.

       K

    • Carolannfud
      Carolannfud kathyc85

      Posted

      Yes, on my list of questions for the gynae is wether or not I should be seeing a physio and wether she knows if those kegel machines work. Will let you know what she says. 
    • kathyc85
      kathyc85 Carolannfud

      Posted

      Thanks Carolann,  I would be interested to know what  the professionals think!

       K

    • Carolannfud
      Carolannfud kathyc85

      Posted

      Ok, went and saw my gynae today. She said machines work but you're better off doing the exercises yourself, mainly for convenience was the impression I got. She said every time you want to do an exercise you have to find your machine but if you're doing them yourself you can do anywhere, anytime. She also said PFE are only useful for women who are having issues with leaking. . I don't have this issue (since surgery it seems even better than before). She's keen on oestrogen cream to build up the tissue and I've been told to take it internally for the next three months because it helps with healing also. So guess it comes down to personal choice and what exactly the issues are. She hasn't recommended physio for me either. Just said I was doing well, keep on doing my usual walking etc and see me in three months. Hope this is helpful. 😄
  • moira34394
    moira34394 kathyc85

    Posted

    I think we'd all be interested to know what the professionals think, but I'm not sure if there is one definitive answer. I finally saw a gynae physio last week, 7 months after my posterior repair and tvt. I had had an anterior repair 3 months before that, but it failed within the first few days, when I tripped over the bathroom scales, and did some lunge steps forward to avoid falling.

    The consultant suggested that the post + tvt would support the anterior problem, and this did seem to work.  7 months on the posterior repair and tvt are great, but my anterior prolapse is back. Probably grade 1-2, as it can be clearly seen just above the entrance to the vagina. Gutted is too mild a description of how I feel.

    Anyway, to get to the point, The physio thinks the pf exs could help hold this in check, and has given me a detailed programme. It was a long consultation, and I felt she checked things carefully. Since 8 weeks post op, I have been using a kegel app on my ipad, only £1.99 and it does talk you through. You might wonder (as I do) if this has helped as I've prolapsed again, but I've had several infections, 2  episodes of coughing incessantly for 2-3 weeks, and looking after an 18 month old grandchild 2 days a week (which the consultant said would be ok to do). I don't think I had a chance. I have to see the physio again in a month, and will post if I learn anything generally useful. All the best to everyone.

    • Carolannfud
      Carolannfud moira34394

      Posted

      Wow Moira, youve certainly had a hard time of it 😒. I was told no lifting anything more than 5kg and  because my grandchildren are interstate I have been able to adhere to that although I would have dearly loved to go and visit them, but flying off the agenda for a while yet too. I would be interested in how you get on with the physio. From what my gynae told me it's the state of the tissue that was the problem in my case (I'm 64). The tissue was too fragile to hold everything up so no amount of exercise would have helped. Best of luck Moira, hope it all starts to improve!  Take care. 
  • donna68613
    donna68613 kathyc85

    Posted

    Hi all, i have a kegal8 i bought it when i realised i had a prolapse hoping i would not have to have the op unfortunately i did have to have it and am 2wks in. I am hoping to start using it again soon and am hoping it will stop any further prolapse but can not say yet if its going to be worth you buying one.  It is easier than doing the exercises yourself.  Im always forgeting to do them. If you do order as its medical you do not have to pay vat.

    I don't have any follow up appointments so would appreciate it if you could ask the advice of your gynea about how soon it can be used after the op.

    Thanks Donna

  • mary78986
    mary78986 kathyc85

    Posted

    Hi Kathy, would love to know how you are getting on?

    I have been using the kegel ultra 20 stimilator, I am forty, three kids in my twenties, now suffering from bladder weakness and a small prolapse bulge at the top of my VJ.

    you can use an internal probe or electrodes to tone the pelvic floor, I use the probe as I beleive it gets straight to the source!

    I have really noticed a difference, im a lot tighter, the bladder weakness has improved significantly!

    As regards to the prolapse its still there but it seems to have moved up and my not getting hardly any dragging tummy pain from it anymore, it has been certainly more prefrable to surgery for me me anyway, but this is just my experience of it ladies!

    Great for period pain too just pop the electrodes on your tummy acts like a tens.

     

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