Sneezing, coughing and other normal functions can become embarrassing mishaps, and peeing on yourself is anything but fun.
This is just one of the many reasons that women turn to Kegels to strengthen the area “down there.” Many of us secretly do Kegel exercises in the weirdest places, like at work, while watching television with our families or even at stoplights in the car.
The question is: Do Kegels really help, and are they recommended for everyone? Or should some of us avoid them?
How Do Kegels Work?
Diving into this issue begins with understanding just what Kegels do. According to the Mayo Clinic, Kegels are performed to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support structures like the uterus, bladder, small intestine and rectum.
Childbirth, surgery, age or even trying too hard to go to the bathroom, can weaken pelvic floor muscles. Weight gain also has an impact. This means that we must take action to strengthen them, just like any other muscle group.
This is where Kegels come into play. In short, they’re thought to help. However, we’ve got to do these exercises correctly.