4 Awesome Health Benefits Of Kegel Exercises For Women & Men

How Do Kegel Exercises Benefit Women & Men?

Kegel exercises refer to a group of exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles lie in the region between your thighs and are necessary for regulating the bowel and bladder control. Strong pelvic floor benefits the reproductive organs and support your small intestines and rectum.

Various factors such as a prostate surgery, childbirth, and certain chronic diseases like diabetes can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and cause problems.

Before you start doing Kegel exercises, you should first find your pelvic floor muscles. One easy way to find them is to stop urinating mid-stream and focus on the muscles that just helped to stop the urine flow.

Now, empty your bladder and lie on your back with your knees bend and apart. Contract the pelvic floor muscles for a few seconds, say 3 seconds, and then release them for 3 seconds. Repeat the same for five minutes. Make sure to practice the exercises two to three times a day for at least a few months to get noticeable benefits.

Menopause & Prostate.

3. Kegel exercises can help reduce menopausal symptoms

Menopause can cause a multitude of signs and symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, painful intercourse, increased anxiety or irritability, depression, and frequent urination.

One study looked at the effects of education on menopause, relaxation techniques, nutrition and fitness exercises, and Kegel exercises on the severity of menopausal symptoms.

After eight weeks, the researchers found that intervention group had received a significant reduction in most menopausal symptoms including depression and anxiety.

4. Kegel exercises help men with prostate problems

An enlarged prostate also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is common in men aged 50 or above.

BPH can cause frequent urges to urinate and feelings of incomplete urine passage.

Kegel exercises help strengthen the muscles that lie below the bladder and hence give you a better control over the bladder.

In fact, some men may regain a complete bladder control with a long-term practice of Kegel exercises.