Pelvic floor trainers

[Gerla]

I posted this on the menopause board but it's not as frequented as much as Chat so I hope it's ok to repost here.

Has anyone used one? Am thinking specifically of Elvie or Kegel 8. I'm not getting on with just doing the exercises on my own! Thanks.

Anyone?

Hey OP

I got the Kegel 8 but around 10 years ago so not much help probably.

I was 20 at the time (ish) so really did it as I disliked how I felt down below.

Also got the weights one you inserted as a tampon shape...

I personally didn't notice any difference but maybe I was using it for different reasons and that is why. As I don't have a weak bladder as such, I sneeze and I'm fine.

So for me it would be a no but there may be someone whose situation is more relatable.

At the time the machine was £220!!

Thanks! Does the kegel do the work for you? Not sure how it actually works!

Kegel 8 is good. You just put it in and let it do it’s thing. I normally use it in the morning while I’m brushing my teeth and doing my hair so no effort. I don’t really have any symptoms anymore, apart from around my period, so I’d definitely recommend

I have an elvie. I think it has helped with improving bladder control. I'm in my 40's with 2 kids. You do need to use it regularly- minimum 3 x week. Sometimes it's hugely irritating (I guess when it's not positioned correctly) but mostly it's fine. I'd probably repurchase. It doesn't take a huge amount of effort - just need to be disciplined

I have seen a lot of advertising recently about the Perifit.

Does anyone have any experience of this? I'm guessing it's quite new.

Perifit

When I had it, it did it for you. You'd just insert, switch on the machine and it had different levels of intensity. It would basically make your walls crunch together and the feeling was like a tight vibration? Only uncomfortable when up high. Maybe felt like an electric shock?

Glad other posters have commented

I have used Kegel 8 for a while. I've found it much more effective than my own exercises but you do have to use it frequently. I've actually just subscribed to the MUTU system as I've realised I need more work on my core as part of the pelvic floor issues. The Kegel 8 can't really help with that, but hoping to use it alongside core exercises in the future. Can't speak for MUTU yet as it's only been a week.

Thanks everyone.

@Gerla, what did you decide in the end?

I'm interested in trying the Perifit, reviews online sound good, but it's a lot of money and I'm on unpaid mat leave so counting pennies!

I'm also pretty concerned about a heavy Brexit customs fee as they ship from Europe :(

I've bought the kegel8 but been too scared to use it. How do you know where to put it? Sorry if it's a stupid question. It got really good reviews and it's been recommended here a few times. I've moved it from my cupboard to my bed but it's still unused.

It might be worth seeing a women's health physio first. I bought a pelvic floor trainer for about £200, I forget what it was called, but it did absolutely nothing for me even though I used it for the full 12 weeks. I saw the physio who said the reason it wasn't working was because my pelvic floor was way too tight.

She said to think about when you lift a weight in your hand - you start with your arm down, then bring the hand with your weight up to your shoulder and you can lift quite a heavy weight because you've full extension of your arm. Then she said imagine starting with the weight in your hand about an inch away from your shoulder and you can see that you can hardly do anything. And that's how it is for the pelvic floor. If the outside layer of muscle is too tight then you can't strengthen your pelvic floor properly because you need to be able to "let go" in order to get the full extension. I am now in the process of trying to do exercise to relax my pelvic floor. I'm not sure I'm explaining very well, but basically, i think it would be worth you having a session with a physio just to see if it's the same for you as if it then no strengthening exercises are going to work.

I had significant damage after my first baby. I saw a colorectal nurse through the NHS and she gave me a Pelvitone machine. The key thing for me was she assessed me and then personally programmed the device for my needs.

I have used it 5 times a week for 8 years now and it makes the world of difference. If I get sloppy and miss a week then I really know.

This machine has stopped me needing surgery and hopefully will prevent me needing surgery in the future.

Key things are to get it programmed for your needs or consult with the company directly. They have a nurse who advises on the right programme to use.

Second is use it every day if you can, you'd be amazed how quickly the workout stops working. If you use it three times a week only it's not enough to maintain basic muscle tone. 4 times a week for half an hour a time is the bare minimum. 5 times a week and you improve.

Thanks for the advice @purplebagladylovesgin and @pinkseal, I actually have seen a women's health physio on the NHS so know that my technique is good and that I'm not too tight, and I do need to strengthen.

My main issue is having a toddler and 10 week old, and therefore zero time or motivation! I'm hoping the "game"-y aspect of the Perifit will help with that - basically that I can use while breastfeeding instead of playing solitaire!

Anyway it turns out I was right about hefty customs charges (they don't have UK stockists, have to ship them over) so have used the free delivery to send to my sister in Paris and she's going to send on with paperwork saying it's a gift... Fingers crossed we'll dodge the crazy surchages that way.

Once I've used it enough to have an opinion I'll update! Hope it works as I hope.

Best of luck @moirarosebabay getting your courage up with the Kegel8! If you do get around to using it would be great to know your thoughts!

I've just purchased one from the website with a 15% discount code when you subscribe and free uk delivery!

I got a perifit last week and I've felt a huge improvement already! Though I have been doing my pelvic floor exercises regularly for a couple of years now so maybe that's why I've seen fast results. I had a prolapse after birth and, although mild, I had noticable symptoms. I always felt dragging and couldn't exercise and leaked every time I sneezed. The perifit just enhanced my improvement and I can't feel any bulging at all. What I like is you can see your progress and in less than a week my strength has nearly doubled! So I'm really impressed and would really recommend it! I paid 100 pounds with the discount and free shipping but I don't think it is expensive for what you get as it is a really impressive piece of kit. I love it! I feel so much more confident about myself. my prolapse has really made my self esteem suffer but I'm feeling really positive now!