Kegel exercises were developed by Arnold Kegel MD, a surgeon, in the 1940's as a treatment for stress urinary incontinence by strengthening the pelvic muscles. The muscles which support the pelvic floor are the urethra, bladder, uterus and rectum. By 1950 Kegel was reporting a 93% success rate for incontinence treatment.

The most common way that instruction in Kegel exercises is carried out is as an isometric contraction in which the bulbacavernosus muscle is contracted and held contracted for about 6 seconds. Then it is relaxed and another contraction is begun. Doing 5 contractions a minute.

The main problem has been that in order to be effective, the right muscle has to be contracted and about 50% of women cannot identify and isolate the correct muscle with just verbal instructions, this can be improved if a doctor gives instruction. In order to realise the maximum benefit from these exercises, it is very important that you perform them correctly.

Repeated series of contractions should be performed every day, but the total number of contractions varies between studies. High Intencity pelvic floor exercises can be carried out as well as low intensity. Attending a weekly instruction group could benefit the speed at which you respond to the exercises due to the fact that you are being monitored to see that you are carrying out the exercises correctly.


Pelvic floor exercises can help with stress or mild incontinence.