This is a question that many women have, especially women who are doing Kegels as a conservative therapy for resolving symptoms of urinary incontinence.
It’s a good question.
Does forever sound too long? It does to a lot of women, especially since many of them can’t remember to do them daily. But think about it this way: your pelvic floor muscles are like any other muscle in your body … use ’em or lose ’em.
If you currently work out and are in great shape, and then suddenly stop going to the gym, do you think your body is going to stay fit and toned? Probably not.
The same is true of your pelvic floor muscles. If you have been doing Kegels to alleviate your urinary incontinence symptoms, and your symptoms are better, does that mean you should stop doing Kegels?
Nope.
Why not? Because your pelvic floor muscles, like the other more visible muscles in your body, are subject to aging and gravity over time. Unless you exercise your pelvic floor muscles, then they will begin to lose tone and sag over time, and flabby muscles are no good. In fact, saggy pelvic floor muscles may even encourage the return of your urinary incontinence symptoms.
According to Women’s Studies expert Susun Weed, “Every part of your body will age more gracefully if you work it out regularly … daily pelvic floor exercises tonify the vaginal tissues.” And who doesn’t want to age gracefully, inside or out?
Kegels and Women’s Urinary Incontinence
The good news about doing Kegels for the rest of your life is that you can do these exercises while you are doing other things … and who doesn’t love to multi-task? Once you have learned to do correct pelvic floor contractions, you can do them while chatting on the phone, gardening, or even sitting at your desk. No one will know and you won’t even break a sweat. Plus, there’s no need to go to the gym.
Doing Kegels for the rest of your life isn’t a big deal. You just have to remember to do them … and do them correctly. If you aren’t sure whether you are doing these exercises correctly, check out our free ebook for a quickie guide.
Otherwise, just incorporate Kegels into your daily routine and be done with it. If you stop at your local coffee shop to pick up a latte every day, add a set of Kegels while you wait for your coffee. Do Kegels while you read the morning paper. Or do ’em in the bedroom. Whatever floats your boat!
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