What do Kegel exercises do?

Kegel exercises help strengthen your pelvic muscles. These muscles help support your vagina and bladder. The bladder holds your urine. If your pelvic muscles have weakened, urine can leak out. Kegel exercises help strengthen these muscles so urine does not leak out. Kegels also make the muscles of your vagina more sensitive. You may have more orgasms.

How do I do Kegels?

You can do Kegels anywhere: while you sit at a desk, wait for a bus, wash dishes, drive a car, wait in line, or watch television. No one will know you are doing them.

Here's how you do it:

• First, start and stop the flow of urine when you urinate. This will help you know which muscles to use.

• When you are not urinating, tighten these muscles and hold for 4 seconds. Then relax. Tighten and relax these muscles at least 10 times. Do this 5 to 8 times a day.

You will need to tighten and relax your pelvic muscles about 50 to 80 times a day or more.

Many women see a change for the better after doing these exercises every day for 3 to 6 months. It is important to keep doing Kegels the rest of your life.