When you are sitting comfortably gently squeeze your pelvic floor muscles by contracting the muscles of your anus first (as if you are holding in a poo), then pull the contraction around to your vagina lifting up everything up in between along the perineum. Hold the muscle contraction until you are either, no longer aware of the contraction, or you feel the contraction relax. Count how many seconds you can hold the contraction for. Rest for a few seconds then try again and see if you can comfortably perform 5 contractions of the same duration in a row. I have seen many women with urinary incontinence that will only have a 2-3 second ability to contract, so no cheating start at a realistic place.
Younger women may be able to hold their pelvic floor muscle for comfortably for 10-12 seconds but by the time we are post-partum, peri-menopausal, or post-menopausal it is unrealistic to aim so high to begin with. If we think we are holding our pelvic floor muscles for longer YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT DOING IT RIGHT! You must be able to perform 100 perfect contractions at the lower level holds patterns before moving on to the next pattern.
Take your time when progressing from one pattern to the next and do not move onto the next stage until you master the last one.
MyKORI's Vibration setting (Hz/rpm) is designed for the combined use for endurance muscle strengthening and to help combat stress incontinence.
The use of local vibrations for your pelvic floor can enhance muscle strength in healthy adults!
MyKORI's Vibration setting (Hz/rpm) is designed for the combined use for endurance muscle strength and to combat stress incontinence.
Using the bullet setting on vibration is another way to help relax your pelvic floor muscles and perineum. Relaxing with the vibrations will help you to engage with your pelvic floor; increase your proprioception which will help you to obtain both stronger and more relaxed muscles.
(More information can be found on our perineal massage page).
Start with relaxation techniques then progress onto squeezing exercises for your pelvic floor muscles when using the bullet settings.
If you do this before you start your strengthening exercises you will more likely achieve stronger pelvic floor contractions. It’s also a great way to practice your technique and improve your pelvic floor proprioception.