Treatment Overview

Exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles involved in urination are used to treat both stress incontinence and urge incontinence. To do Kegel exercises:

• Squeeze the same muscles you would use to stop your urine. Your belly and rear end (buttocks) should not move.
• Hold the squeeze for 3 seconds, then relax for 3 seconds.
• Repeat the exercise 10 to 15 times a session. Do three or more sessions a day.

Kegel exercises can be performed while traveling, at work, or at random moments during the day. No one will be aware that you are doing the exercises. So you can repeat them frequently.

Kegel exercises are often combined with biofeedback techniques to teach the proper exercise methods and to make sure the exercises are working. Biofeedback allows you to see, feel, or hear when an exercise is being done correctly. This can be done by placing a finger in your vagina or anus to feel it contract when the pelvic muscles are exercised.

More elaborate devices can also be used that measure the pressure of the bladder and abdominal muscles or provide a measurement of the pressure within the vagina.

Another exercise technique involves using a weighted cone that is inserted into the vagina. You must contract the pelvic muscles to prevent the cone from dropping out of the vagina. A set of cones identical in size and shape but of increasing weight are provided. As treatment progresses, heavier cones are used that require stronger contractions to keep them in place.