These exercises are now recommended for women with urinary stress incontinence. The success of Kegel exercises depends on proper technique and adherence to a regular resistance exercise program. Some people have difficulty identifying and isolating the muscles of the pelvic floor. The principle behind Kegel exercises is to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, (PC Muscle) thereby improving the urethra and/or rectal sphincter function. Care must be taken to learn to contract the correct muscles. Typically, most people contract the abdominal or thigh muscles, while not even working the pelvic floor muscles. Several techniques exist to help the incontinent person identify the correct muscles.

5.2 billion is spent on Adult Diapers each year.

Find the right muscles.
This is very important. Your doctor, nurse, or physical therapist will help make sure you are doing the exercises the right way.

You should tighten the two major muscles that stretch across your pelvic floor. They are the "hammock" muscle and the "triangle" muscle. Here are three methods to check for the correct muscles.

1. Try to stop the flow of urine when you are sitting on the toilet. If you can do it, you are using the right muscles.

2. Imagine that you are trying to stop passing gas. Squeeze the muscles you would use. If you sense a "pulling" feeling, those are the right muscles for pelvic exercises.
 

3. Lie down and put your finger inside your vagina. Squeeze as if you were trying to stop urine from coming out. If you feel tightness on your finger, you are squeezing the right pelvic muscle.

Don't squeeze other muscles at the same time.
Be careful not to tighten your stomach, legs, or other muscles. Squeezing the wrong muscles can put more pressure on your bladder control muscles. Just squeeze the pelvic muscle. Don't hold your breath. Be sure not contract your abdominal, thigh or buttock muscles.

Repeat, but don't overdo it.
At first, find a quiet spot to practice your bathroom or bedroom so you can concentrate. Lie on the floor. Pull in the pelvic muscles and hold for a count of 3. Then relax for a count of 3. Work up to 10 to 15 repeats each time you exercise.

Do your pelvic exercises at least three times a day.
Every day, use three positions: lying, sitting, and standing. You can exercise while lying on the floor, sitting at a desk, or standing in the kitchen. Using all three positions makes the muscles strongest.

Be patient.
Don't give up. It's just 5 minutes, three times a day. You may not feel your bladder control improve until after 3 to 6 weeks. Still, most women do notice an improvement after a few weeks.

Exercise aids.
You can also exercise by using special weights or biofeedback. Ask your health care team about these exercise aids.

Hold the squeeze 'til after the sneeze
You can protect your pelvic muscles from more damage by bracing yourself:

Think ahead, just before sneezing, lifting, or jumping. Sudden pressure from such actions can hurt those pelvic muscles. Squeeze your pelvic muscles tightly and hold on until after you sneeze, lift, or jump. After you train yourself to tighten the pelvic muscles for these moments, you will have fewer accidents.

Points to Remember

• Weak pelvic muscles often cause bladder control problems.
• Daily exercises can strengthen pelvic muscles.
• These exercises often improve bladder control.
• Ask your doctor or nurse. Are you squeezing the right muscles?
• Tighten your pelvic muscles before sneezing, lifting, or jumping. This can prevent pelvic muscle damage.