New Device May Improve Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Researchers are developing a new device for exercising pelvic floor muscles that could bring relief to millions of women suffering from pelvic floor disorders.

In 1948, Arnold Kegel, an American gynecologist, first described exercises for pelvic floor muscle strengthening, which are now known as Kegel exercises.

They can help control incontinence of urine, regulate bowel movements, and prevent accidental passage of gas, issues that can be caused by factors like vaginal delivery or chronic constipation. Some believe Kegel exercises can even make sex more pleasurable, although there is little evidence to support it.

Apurva B. Pancholy, M.D., associate professor of OBGYN at UTHealth, says these exercises are low-cost and can be done anywhere, but they require correct technique and consistent practice to be effective.

The stimulators are beneficial for patients who do not have access to a physical therapist who can teach and monitor patients.

Pancholy

Research suggests that about half of women practicing Kegel’s exercises don’t perform a proper muscle contraction. Unsurprisingly, there is a growing market for electronic pelvic floor exercisers.

Pancholy explains these stimulators use mild electrical impulses or vibrations to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles, causing them to contract. This can help with pelvic muscle activation, strengthening, and coordination.

Researchers at the University of Porto, Portugal, have recently filed a patent application for a new pelvic floor exercise device that is currently being developed.

The new cylinder-shaped device is inserted into the vaginal canal to induce the contraction of the main pelvic floor muscle, levator ani. It comes with a monitor that helps to ensure the correct exercise and a set of weights with different loads to impose resistance of various magnitudes to the contraction.

According to the patent application, the device helps to increase the cephalic and anterior displacement of the urethra, vagina, and rectum, which promotes the closure of these structures. As a result, it improves incontinence of urine, bowel movements, and prevents accidental gas passing.

How could it be superior to existing devices?

The inventors say the new device could address the limitations of pelvic floor stimulators currently available on the market. For example, in some devices, resistance is triggered by the placement of the springs in the vaginal canal. In order to change them, the device must be removed from the vaginal canal during the exercise session.

Some devices don’t have the functionality of adding any external weight that would impose resistance of different magnitudes on the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.

There are devices that allow the use of force of different magnitudes; however, their resistant force is not directed into the fibers of the pelvic floor muscles.

Nevertheless, pelvic floor muscle exercisers currently available online appear to yield high consumer satisfaction. A study analyzing reviews of 2,574 devices sold on Amazon found that 77% were positive. Additionally, electric probe devices were found to be the most beneficial device for incontinence control.

At the same time, many devices lack convincing evidence regarding their effectiveness.

Why is exercising pelvic floor muscles important?

Nearly 24% of American women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders and their frequency increases with age. Pancholy says any woman who suffers from these disorders will benefit from pelvic floor muscle exercise.

“This can range from women who are pregnant or postpartum to older women dealing with incontinence or pain issues,” Pancholy says.

You may need to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles if you experience one or more of the following issues:

• Accidentally leaking urine when exercising, laughing, coughing, or sneezing
• Needing to get to the toilet in a hurry or not making it there in time
• Feeling a constant need to go to the toilet
• Finding it difficult to empty your bladder or bowel
• Accidentally losing control of your bladder or bowel
• Accidentally passing wind
• Feeling pain in the pelvic area
• Experiencing pain during sex

Health regulators have yet to approve the new device for its safety and effectiveness. Meanwhile, everyone can learn and benefit from pelvic floor exercises that don’t require equipment.