By now, you probably know that Kegels involve tightening then releasing the muscles in your pelvic floor (it should feel like you're stopping yourself from peeing). But have you ever used kegel balls to make these exercises even more challenging?
What are kegel balls?
Kegel balls help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. They've been used for centuries, and are sometimes also referred to as Ben Wa balls. These small, circular weights are inserted into your vagina (yep, just like a tampon) and essentially make your muscles say “oh, I gotta keep these in,” which triggers them to contract.
Think of it as taking your pelvic floor muscles to the gym. You can start by using kegel balls for a few minutes each day, then increasing for longer intervals as you get stronger. (Don’t worry, kegel balls come out easily; you just need to relax your body. Most also have strings to make them easier to remove.)
The benefits of kegel balls
Many women start doing kegels as a way too boost their sex life. The reason? Stronger pelvic floor muscles may lead to more intense sex, since part your pelvic floor, the pubococcygeus (PC) muscles, contract during orgasm.
While better sex is certainly a benefit, doctors emphasize that it’s not only about that—kegel balls can also help with pregnancy recovery (babies put pressure on your pelvic floor, which weakens those muscles) and especially improve bladder control.
“There are different types of urinary incontinence: urge, stress, and mixed," explains Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women Babies in Orlando. "[Kegel balls can help with] stress urinary incontinence, which is basically the inability to hold your urine with a lot of abdominal pressure—whether that is from laughter, sneezing, or coughing."
If performing regular kegel exercises hasn't been working and you're trying to avoid surgery, you may want to give kegel balls a shot, adds Dr. Greves. "Talk to your doctor about possibly adding these to your regimen to try to help with incontinence," she says.
Kegel ball shopping guide
Not sure what you should look for when shopping for kegel balls? According to Zaher Merhi, MD, director of research and development in IVF technologies at New Hope Fertility in New York City, there is a slew of different features to consider. Many of them will come down to preference: Kegel balls are usually designed as singles or doubles (doubles will give you a more challenging workout); they can be made of metal or silicone; are available in different sizes and weights, so you can find the right fit; and some even vibrate, which can boost the intensity of your session.
You can shop kegel balls, here at shop.xmyra.com
